Opening factories would do more harm than good
The recent events in the garment sector regarding the workers' unpaid wages, layoffs, retrenchment and opening of factories without proper safety measures portray that the May Day will not bear any longer significance when compared to a normal day.
I think there is absolutely no strong reason for opening garment factories at the same time of high incidence of coronavirus infection in the country. In case of emergency, factories should negotiate with their buyers about revised schedules for shipment of orders.
Since almost all of the shops and businesses are closed in major apparel importing countries, factory owners could easily pursue a rescheduled timeline.
Opening the factories with a high risk of infection at work would make the factories more vulnerable and thus reduce the scope for getting orders in future.
Such a hurried move for short-term benefits may push the factories in addition to the sector in long-term risks of occupational safety and health.
We have pointed out that the decision on opening the factories is not giving priority to the directives of medical ministry.
Since social distancing is being promoted everywhere, how could factories be opened when maintaining social distancing is nearly impossible in the event of movement to and from the factories?
Since the country is certainly going through an interval of health emergency, the directives of the health ministry must have taken precedence over other ministries.
In a few cases, we have noticed the participation of trade union representatives in the discussion, however the role and influence of personnel in such a decision-making process were found to be minimal.
Garment manufacturers often say that if indeed they do not reopen their factories now, they might lose competitiveness in the international market, but we do not think so.
The whole world is closed: a few countries have opened their factories (such as Vietnam) because these were able to support the spread of the virus successfully.
This logic will not apply to Bangladesh since it seems we have quite a distance to go in this battle.
Given the limited awareness and understanding about personal safety in addition to the limited institutional convenience of the factories to ensure health safety at the workplace, the decision to open factories should be taken cautiously.
If we hurry to go back to production and thereby coronavirus spreads over the worker community and other regions, the benefit for the month-long holidays will go in vain.
The health-related concerns should get priority over other economical emergencies.
We think that the federal government measures for the industries, particularly for the export-oriented sectors, should adequately address their financial concerns.
We know that the government is working closely with the International Labour Organisation in preparing emergency safety guidelines.
However, some follow-up steps are linked to the formation of committees at the factory level, awareness-raising and identification of vulnerable areas in the factories.
All the stakeholders, specially the government and workers, trade unions, local and international organisations, should work closely on social dialogue to make sure workers' rights as of this crucial moment.
We have an idea to monitor the safety situation if we're able to collaborate with international organisations.
We feel that the challenges in the wonderful world of work -- particularly business, employment, working conditions, workers' rights and the role of brands and buyers -- will persist for more than a year, which could have different impact and implications for the entire working conditions in the country.
