Over 29 per cent of the readymade garment factories surveyed had to pay inspectors additional money to be eligible for compliant ones, a joint study has revealed.
“The survey found that, during the high export growth period (September 2021 to March 2022), overall, 29.3 per cent of the surveyed factories had to pay additional money to the inspector to be eligible as compliant factories, which is illegal,” read the findings of the study.
It also revealed that several new subcontracting factories were set up to meet a higher volume of export orders, and child and juvenile workers are being hired in these factories to offset workforce shortage.
The findings of the study titled ‘Debate on Recent Export Growth and Decent Employment in RMG Industry: A UNGPs Perspective’ by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Christian Aid (CA) were shared on Wednesday at a dialogue held at the BRAC Centre Inn in the capital.
Some 1,244 workers and a total of 51 factories, with 12 mean years of operation, located in Dhaka and adjacent areas including Savar, Narayanganj and Gazipur were surveyed.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was present as chief guest at the event chaired by CPD’s Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun. Research director of CPD Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem presented the survey results.
Responding to the findings, Khaled Mamun Chowdhury, director general of the Department of Labour, said they had taken action against three inspectors allegedly involved in the bribery.
Five inspectors were transferred and departmental measures have been taken against two others, while one would be suspended, he informed.
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