The BGMEA has instructed its members to refrain from responding to recent correspondence from the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) as the issue necessitates further evaluation. In a circular issued on Sunday, the BGMEA highlighted that the managing director of the RSC had circulated a letter to factories regarding a non-OSH complaints mechanism.
The circular emphasized that ongoing review processes are in place, with BGMEA management actively engaging in discussions with the RSC to seek clarity through productive dialogue. A definitive stance on the matter will be communicated following deliberations during the forthcoming RSC board meeting.
Until a resolution is reached, member factories are urged not to engage with any communications, letters, or circulars from the RSC pertaining to the non-OSH complaints mechanism. This approach aims to maintain consistency and alignment with BGMEA’s established policies and directives.
The RSC, a pivotal safety oversight entity within Bangladesh’s garment industry, has recently announced an expansion of its operational scope. Beginning November 16, the tripartite organization, comprising industry representatives, brands, and trade unions, will extend its monitoring activities to cover employment contracts, termination procedures, wage issues, employee benefits, freedom of association, and collective bargaining rights for workers.
The RSC’s mandate will also incorporate investigations into instances of child or forced labor, as well as discrimination within Bangladesh’s primary export-focused sector, as outlined in an official document. Established subsequent to the dissolution of the Accord and the Alliance – two international inspection initiatives formed post the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013 – the RSC’s responsibilities encompass structural, electrical, fire, life safety, and boiler safety assessments, in addition to remediation oversight and support.
Furthermore, the council administers safety training programs and manages an autonomous occupational safety and health complaints mechanism accessible to workers in covered RMG facilities.