The world’s population is tremendously growing especially in the developing countries and, as a result, such countries experience enormous problems due to the expanding needs of the people. The growth of population has affected the government’s ability to predict and generate policies that would serve the various needs of its population. Numerous problems arise as the government budgeted expenditure is stretched, and the level of poverty continues to increase. In fact, majority of persons in the developed countries live under deplorable conditions as a result of poverty, and this increases the vulnerability to diseases and other infections (Bader 212). In addition, the problem of malnutrition is very frequent in these countries. In fact, various governments work tirelessly in ensuring that policies and programs are implemented to facilitate an improvement in the situation (Publishing OECD 144). After 1989, the world seemed to have been marked by some form of global victory in the version of neo-liberalism that was characterized by the presence of United States of America. There was also an increase of openness in market activities and processes. Such openness has resulted in global inequality as variations in form of political perceptions, religious affiliations, and historical traditions have been witnessed. Intra-national warfare has indeed surpassed international war, and numerous discrimination and ethnicization continue to erode the possibilities of sustainable development (Gautam 96).
Moreover, due to an increase in population, there has been a significant movement of people from rural origins to urban areas in an attempt to secure job opportunities and improved living standards. The massive influx of persons in the cities and urban areas has created enormous problems in the cities (Davis 12). The most common issues experienced in the urban areas include the problem of housing, sanitation, and increased rate of crime particularly caused by the unemployed youth. The rapid economic growth experienced since 1980s in Bangladesh has been accompanied by severe challenges especially in the factories that lack the basic protection gear for worker's safety (Publishing OECD 144). In addition, the increase in the ease of availability of labourers has led to the deterioration of the labour union in the implementation of policies and programs that are intended to regulate and guarantee safety for workers (Locke 171). The continued growth of cities and increased urbanization is even faster than it was originally predicted, and scholars believe that such cities have absorbed approximately two-thirds of the global population. It is predicted that the ever increasing population in the cities especially in the developing countries would result in the introduction of new megacities with excess inhabitants of the people. In 2013, the collapse of an eight-story commercial building led to the death of more than one thousand people and caused fatal injuries to many more individuals. The collapse of that building reflects the ineffectiveness of the labour and safety policies in among the workers in the developing countries.
After the collapse of the building in Bangladesh, the government has responded appropriately in ensuring that the safety policies and programs have been implemented to guarantee safe working conditions for the workers. The scope of the disaster was devastating and attracted the attention of international organizations as well as the public and the need to fill the gaps of factory safety in Bangladesh (Publishing OECD 144). The underlying cause of the numerous tragedies is attributed to the disaggregated model of sourcing in Bangladesh that widely became the center of global supply chains. It is argued that the issue of indirect sourcing in Bangladesh is one of the contributors to the industrial accidents that have been experienced in the recent past. Indirect sourcing is a business model that involves the practice of obtaining and subcontracting tenders through agents in a manner that is not genuine or transparent to the buyers. The main reason for engaging in indirect sourcing is the need to boost production, increase margins substantially while at the same time keeping the costs incurred low. Acknowledging the global business relationship enable an understanding of the real intensity of the factory safety problems in Bangladesh. The pertinent problem is that during issuance of contracts and sub-contracting tenders, productions moves beyond the scope of regulation (Bader 186). In this case, there is noncompliance with the current regulation hence minimum standards and safety precautions and worker’s rights.
It is worth noting that Bangladesh is deeply reliant on the garment industry in its economy, and it functions as a driving force for employment, empowerment and social development. Every person must play a central role in ensuring the safety and that standards for working conditions have been adhered (Appadurai 22). It is also entrusted with the responsibility of formulating and facilitating the implementation of public policies that facilitate continued business improvement in a manner that is beneficial to the whole society. However, that has not been a condition in Bangladesh as it is ranked very low on issues of good governance, regulatory enforcement, and civil justice. After the Rana Plaza catastrophe, numerous policies have been championed by the government to ensure safety and facilitate improved working conditions for the workers. As part of the reformation strategies, the government sought to amend its labor laws (Amin 1). The Bangladesh Labour Act explicitly provides that workers no longer require the approval or consent of the employer to establish trade unions. The formation of such trade unions is to allow the workers raise their safety concerns to the employer and the labor unions effectively (Sassen 8). The government also made attempts to increase the minimum wage from thirty-eight dollars to sixty-eight dollars per month as part of appreciating the efforts of the workers.
The labour laws in Bangladesh prior to the Rana Plaza incident were insufficient and ineffective. Much pressure from international unions, civil societies, and foreign governments was directed towards the need for Bangladesh to amend and align its labour laws with the international standards (Muthu 29). The labour laws enacted on July 15, 2013, includes provisions that are intended to improve workplace safety, and to enhance the compensation regime for the affected parties. The laws focused on strengthening the labour union and inspectorate, creation of safety committees and provision of health centers within the place of work (Publishing, OECD 145). The ratification of the International Labour Organization on issues relating to freedom of association also provided more light in the labour laws in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the government doubled its oversight role in the issuance of contracts and subcontracts by establishing the trade associations that facilitate a close monitoring of the factories. The amendments of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and BKMEA stipulate the minimum requirements for safety standards and working conditions while at the same time conducting close evaluation of small factories to meet such requirements. The government also champions at recruiting more factory inspectorate to fill vacant positions particularly in the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (Muthu 29).
The concept of neoliberalism has since been adopted to facilitate economic growth and liberalization as well as free trade by enhancing the role of the private sector in the economy. The neoliberal policies of open market and privatization were intended to improve standards and safety precautions in the industry. The government also strengthened the compensation regime and access to remedy for the victims after the Rana Plaza incident (Publishing, OECD 144). The incident highlighted the urgency for a robust and rapid legal and practical regulatory framework for accessing and delivering compensation to the affected persons of industrial accidents. Although the victims of the Rana Plaza are yet to be compensated, a program has been rolled out by the government to accessibility of the victims affected and their families (Labowitz & Baumann-Pauly 10). In addition, a standardized system and model have been established to increase accessibility to the remedy and compensation for the affected victims. The government also went beyond the minimal legal requirement by administering more than usual aid in the case of the Rana Plaza than any other prior disaster. A Relief and Welfare Fund were established by the Prime Minister for the immediate support and long-term assistance for the victims on the basis of donations. The fund receives donations from the government, non-governmental organizations, and private donors and is described as the most important source of funding for the industrial accident victims.
The ‘National Tripartite Plan of Action on Fire Safety in the RMG’ was a national action plan initiated by the government of Bangladesh for purposes of facilitating transformation in the garment sector (Publishing, OECD 146). The action plan was aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the subcontracting system as well as regulating the garment industry. However, majority of those programs remain unimplemented to date with the Ministry of Labour acknowledging that some of the projects remain incomplete. Activist and scholars argue that some of the proposals in the National Action Plan are complex and highly unrealistic due to weak enforcement capability, rampant corruption and lack of the required resources. The action plan is significant due to its capability of accommodating nearly 3,497 factories unlike the Accor and the Alliance that was limited to 1,894 factories only within the country. Among other things, the National Action Plan sought to create coordination mechanisms and link buyers, donors and international development organizations. It stipulates the factory-level fire safety needs, improvement programs, and fire safety education and training programs in the industry (International Labour Organisation 62). The plan also advocated the revision, review and update of the fire safety regulations and recommended the formation of a fire safety task force that is capable of immediate response in case of emergency.
The government with input from the International Labour Organization sought to develop the National Occupational Health and Safety Policy. Additionally, the plan advocates the creation of fire safety hotline and fire safety checklist to be used by the government. The government of Bangladesh also enhanced the review of factory licensing and procedures for awarding certification for factories (“Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh”:). It advocates the “one-stop-shop” in awarding certification to promote ease of accessibility and monitoring of activities. The inadequacy of the public oversight on the governance of the garment sector in Bangladesh has prompted the private sector in contributing to the governance (Sassen 6). The formation of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Alliance in 2013 represents the unexpected collaboration of the competing brands in addressing the structural weaknesses in the industry through promotion of compliance with the safety standards. For the first time as recorded in history, some of the largest garment brands worked together in defining and implementing collective rights of human beings on the conditions of factory safety (International Labour Conference 20). They also sought to ensure close monitoring and of compliance with the standards as well as training and providing resources for ensuring factory improvement. Experts argue that the unprecedented coordination and collaboration of the Accord and the Alliance represent a significant contribution to the standard based and collective means of providing solutions. Such steps aim at solving the pressing problems of standards, businesses safety and human rights.
However, criticisms have been directed at both the Accord and the Alliance with some people arguing that both institutions play a similar role. In addition, the initiatives lack a precise and coordinated financing system. Neither institution imposes obligation on brands nor is repair of fund safety deficiencies sufficiently covered by their audits. The fulfillment of the government’s obligation to entirely respect the fundamental rights of freedom and collective bargaining has enhanced occupational safety and improved health (Muthu 29). The ratification and improvements of the International Labour Organization Convention on freedom of association and collective bargaining have assisted in protecting the rights contained in the Act. The ratification would allow workers to request for expert assistance and advice during collective bargaining. The workplace safety has also been enhanced as safety committees have been raised to fifty or more workers in the factory (Appadurai 27). The establishment of workplace health centers in factories with more than five thousand employees requires more than five hundred safety welfare officers. Numerous ILO initiatives have also been rolled to strengthen the labour and safety regulatory framework of the government (Locke 171. The resources are directed at increasing inspection capacity, training representatives on workplace safety issues and creating appropriate infrastructure to promote a safe and conducive working environment.
The massive growth of the world economy for centuries has shaped the growth and the life of cities. The economic policies and transformation have resulted in enormous growth and emergence of the global cities (Locke 186). Rapid industrialization and internationalization of the financial industry has created a global network of transactions. The global cities are characterized by massive differences in historical, cultural, social and economic changes, and such growth has made global control of these economies very difficult. The increase in lack of global control is what contributed to disasters like the one experienced in Bangladesh. The society today is a reflection of modernity characterized by sophistication in the financial and economic regimes. The ever increasing industries and factories have resulted in the creation of mega cities in the world and reflected the need to have a comprehensive plan for ensuring quality and safety for the workers (Publishing, OECD 146). As urban populations grow, numerous problems are likely to be experienced and causes growth of urban slums as other rural areas lags behind in terms of urbanization (Gifford and Ansett1). The country of Bangladesh through the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety has made numerous partnerships with parties like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as part of its empowerment program. The partnership with the international leader recognized in fire safety aims at empowering factories, stakeholders as well as workers with training, guidance, information and resources that would ensure the health and safety of employees in Bangladesh.
Independent Impact Assessment of safety trainings has also been conducted with the aid of the University of Texas through Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Cline 8). The University would details the results on the efficiency and effectiveness of the worker training in Bangladesh. Such report would facilitate improvements and expansion in the underperforming sectors. Better Work Programs are also being rolled out in Bangladesh as part of the ILO strategies and the World Bank Group (Labowitz & Baumann-Pauly 15). The program seeks to mobilize tripartite efforts in ensuring better and conducive workplace for the employees. ILO also through Better Work Program seeks to improve efficiency of the trade unions, working conditions for the workers and rights of employees in the garment sector (Cline 6). A feasibility study conducted serves to inform the government of Bangladesh on the required and necessary steps needed to realize the minimum requirement for achieving the perspective of the Better Work. The various amendments to the law by the Bangladesh government receive review by the Better Work Management Group while at the same time launching diverse programs. The severe disaster experience in Bangladesh attracted international attention and the need for remedies and reforms to avert such occurrences in the future. Serious amendments in the existing industrial regulations are also required to enable employers carry out the election and nomination for worker participation in the country (Gautam 96).
The massive population in Bangladesh is not an easy task to manage. Majority of the populations live below the poverty line and would do anything to survive. The informality surrounding the weaker and the poorer is very worrying and any policy implemented is beneficial only to those wealthy and affluent individuals. Influential people thus aim at blocking any plans that go in favor of the workers and their intended interest (International labor Organization). There is, therefore, need to ensure that every person takes part in ensuring that the health conditions of the workers, as well as their safety, is guaranteed. Efforts are needed to coordinate and pushed forward to mitigate against indirect sourcing activities, corruption, and sub-standardized products. Issues of quality assurances, workers safety and working conditions of the workers should not be tolerated by the government but should adequately meet the required standards as stipulated by the law.
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