BGMEA asks 53 garment units to set up 2 exits within 45 days
Bdnews, Dhaka
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has instructed its 53 member factories to keep two exits in their units to ensure protection of workers from fire incidents, sources said. The BGMEA, through a circular on March 4, asked the owners of these factories to comply with the instruction within 45 days. The association issued the circular after inspecting fire safety measures of its member factories located in Dhaka and Chittagong. "If they do not comply with the instruction within the time, we will consider action against them," BGMEA President Tipu Munshi told the news agency. A top BGMEA official said 43 of the 53 industrial units are in operation while the remaining 10 remained shut for the last three years. He said the inspection team identified 169 garment factories vulnerable to fire. Stung by the Chittagong KTS garment factory fire on February 25, the apex body in apparel sector took the initiative. At least 59 workers were killed and 150 others injured in the RMG factory fire. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has also planned to launch similar drive to ensure safety of workers. The association has already instructed its nearly 1000 members to keep the exits of the factories open.
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