Majority of the 745 garment factories inspected under a national initiative have made little or no progress in addressing safety hazards, thus putting the life of workers at risk, industry insiders said.
Under an ILO-government joint move, fire, electrical and structural integrity inspections were carried out in 1549 factories in 2015.
Of them, 531 units have been closed and 69 relocated while 193 other have been listed under the western retailers' platforms -- Accord and Alliance, according to Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).
DIFE is currently monitoring the remediation progress in only 745 units, officials said.
DIFE inspectors recently found out that 230 units are yet to start any remediation process although the deadline for completing the fixing of post-inspection flaws would expire on April 30, said an official.
Of 230 factories, 97 units are located in their own buildings and 130 in rented buildings, he said, adding that 162 of them are members of BGMEA and 56 of BKMEA while 12 are associated with both the trade bodies.
Moreover, remediation progress has been recorded at below 30 per cent in a total of 272 factories.
Of them, 86 are operating in own buildings and 186 in rented buildings. Some 167 units are members of BGMEA and 67 of BKMEA while the rest are affiliated with the two trade bodies, according to DIFE data.
On the other hand, Accord and Alliance inspected more than 2200 garment factories and they eliminated more than 80 per cent of safety hazards.
DIFE has recently requested both the trade bodies to take necessary measures to have the remediation process completed in the identified factories within the deadline.
Contacted, a BGMEA official said the association will sit on April 17 with the representatives of 272 units whose remediation progress is recorded at below 30 per cent.
Asked about the 230 units that are yet to start remediation process, BGMEA believes that they would be out of business shortly.
Contacted, DIFE Inspector General Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan said they have held a total of 32 meetings with the factories to date to accelerate the remediation process.
"If any of them fails to complete the required remediation within the deadline, the DIFE would take legal action against them," he said, adding that the National Tripartite Committee on RMG Action Plan will sit next month to decide on the next course of action in this regard.
