UK, Canada, Netherlands provide motorcycles for factory inspections

Three countries have donated 95 motorcycles to facilitate inspection of working environment and safety measures at Bangladesh’s readymade garment factories.

Representatives of the UK, Canada and Netherlands handed over these motorcycles to State Minister for Labour Mujibul Hoque Chunnu at a programme in Dhaka on Sunday.

The ILO had donated Bangladesh 20 bikes earlier for the same reason.

Sunday's programme was co-organised by the labour ministry and the ILO.

ILO's Country Director Srinivas Reddy said labour inspection in Bangladesh was "very challenging".

The motorcycles were being provided considering location of the factories and conditions in the cities, he said.

Chunnu said the government was focussing more on increasing safety in the factories after two big accidents in the RMG sector.

Fire at a Tazareen Fashions Limited factory near Dhaka in 2012 killed over 110 workers.

It was followed by the Rana Plaza building collapse that left over 1,100 RMG workers dead in Bangladesh's worst industrial tragedy.

The accidents, taking place in the span of six months, put into spotlight the lax security measures at factories.

Chunnu said, "We have already adopted a national work plan. Labour inspectors are being appointed and trained (as part of the work plan).

Canada's High Commissioner Heather Cruden termed the apparel sector "critical" for Bangladesh's economy and development.

She said development of the workers and the factories' condition was important for the sector.

Cruden said Canada would continue to provide every assistance to this end.