Editorial
Setting up industrial zones
Key to avoiding accidents
IN the aftermath of the Rana Plaza incident at Savar, perhaps the most devastating of all industrial accidents in recent memory, policymakers are mulling over scenarios which will prevent such incidents that cause so many casualties and tarnish the country's image. The haphazard manner in which the readymade garments (RMG) industry has mushroomed leaves a lot to be desired in terms of complying with building codes. Given the constraints including severe shortage of manpower within which regulators have to operate, some fundamental rethinking is required here.
One possible way out would be to establish industrial villages built along the lines of the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) to house clusters of RMG units. Industrial zones built from ground up to cater to the apparels factories would enjoy several advantages. A particular regulatory body, like Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) or a separate agency could be created to oversee the industrial units within these villages adhered to building and fire-safety codes. The authority would also ensure that companies made timely payment of wages and benefits. As the EPZ experience has shown, it is possible to avoid many of the inherent weaknesses found in recent accidents, whether it be Tazreen Fashion or Rana Plaza, since any building being constructed within an EPZ is supervised during construction. System-specified compliance is strictly adhered to.
Given the fact that we are talking about a $19+ billion industry involving some 5,000 factories and over 8million people who are dependent on the sector, time has surely arrived to make these plans a reality. We cannot afford any more "accidents." The Rana Plaza incident received global media coverage. One must not forget Bangladesh is competing with many emerging countries including Myanmar -- being touted as possibly the "next Asian Tiger." Time for complacence is over. It is time to be proactive and get things moving in the right direction.
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