No new factory without code compliance, he says
“Sixteen garment factories in Dhaka and two in Chittagong have been closed. The owners of the closed factories would get a chance to reopen their factories if they follow the building code,” he said.
The minister was talking to reporters after the cabinet meeting on garment industries.
However, the workers of the closed factories will get their arrear salaries, he said.
“The risky garment factory buildings won’t be allowed to operate. “From now on, no one would be allowed to launch new garment factory if they don’t follow the ILO law, the Bangladesh Labour Law and the building code,” he said.
Referring to tragic incidents at Rana Plaza, Tazreen Fashions and Spectrum garment factories, the minister said: “Those incidents took place due to the owners’ greed for money. They didn’t follow the building code, which led to the incidents.”
The minister said the meeting has decided that letters will be sent to BGMEA and all garment factory owners asking them to explain whether the garment factories, running now, have been built as per the building code.
“Two more taskforce committees — one for identifying fire-extinguishing system in garment factory buildings and another for expansion and simplification of readymade garments industries — have already been formed from the existing cabinet committee on garment industries.”
Led by two additional secretary-level officials, the two committees will start its works soon, said the minister.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, State Minister for Labour and Employment Munnujan Sufian attended the cabinet meeting held at Labour and Employment Ministry with Labour and Employment Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju in the chair.
High officials concerned were also present.