After twice extending the deadline for introducing workers’ biometric database in the readymade garment (RMG) factories, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has decided to temporarily stop providing services to its members that fail to introduce the workers’ biometric database within the further extended timeline of April 30.
Also Read – BGMEA yet to prepare garment workers’ database
The apex garment manufacturers’ body reportedly issued a circular in this regard recently, requesting the members to enroll for the system within the due date.
It may be mentioned here that, once created, the database would help store the basic information about a worker, including his or her identification, family details, record about service details, including factory and employer, dates of his or her joining or leaving the job and its reasons and also details of his/her skill. Besides, the database is also deemed important for successful implementation and use of a proposed fund for all export-oriented sectors as the fund would be collected at a rate of 0.03 per cent from each export receipt, the BGMEA circular stated.
The apex garment exporters’ body extended the deadline twice earlier – December 2015 and January 31, 2016. Now it has further extended the deadline till April 30.
Also Read – BGMEA: Members must develop bio-metric database by December 31
In the light of the two mishaps that took place in Bangladesh — Rana Plaza and Tazreen — BGMEA announced the initiative to update information of all workers working in garment factories in Bangladesh. According to initial plans, the data were to be collected only from areas where the garment factories are more in number like Mirpur, Ashulia, Gazipur, Savar, Maona and Narayanganj (where about 60 per cent of the country’s garment factories are located) but was subsequently extended throughout the country.
