Despite utter importance of fire prevention in the readymade garment sector, Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturing industry seems to have its reservations when it comes to implementing the revised fire prevention rules in the country.
As per media reports, the all important Fire Prevention and Protection Rules 2014 has remained suspended for four years as the Government is yet to revise the rules after its suspension following objections from different stakeholders, including the readymade garment factory owners.
“Fire Prevention and Protection Rules is now in the revision stage. It is not possible to say how long it will take. Hopefully the process will be completed within a few months. The Home Ministry has sent the draft rules to Law Ministry for vetting.” – Ali Ahmed Khan, Director General, Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence
It may be mentioned here that the Fire Prevention and Protection Rules was formulated after nine years of enactment of the Fire Prevention and Protection Act 2003 following which the Government issued a gazette notification on September 18, 2014.
However, the Home Ministry at a meeting on January 8, 2015 reportedly decided to halt implementation of the rules as two apex trade bodies associated with the apparel manufacturing namely the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) allegedly voiced their reservations about the rules.
The traders’ bodies after issuance of the gazette notification of Fire Prevention and Protection Rules 2014 reportedly maintained that the Government formulated the rule without any discussion with industry people and there were some inconsistencies in it that might harm the sector.