Dive Brief:
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The Accord for Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a group formed by several retailers after the devastating building collapse last year, has found more than 80,000 issues at factories that it says require remedial action.
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Some of the issues, which range from electrical wiring problems to load violations, require shutdowns of the factories, while others are more easily addressed.
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The government, workers, and the retailers are balking somewhat at factory closings that are required for some of the remedial work.
Dive Insight:
When it comes to addressing the kinds of serious fire and safety issues that led to the collapse of a factory building in Dhaka, Bangladesh last year, these reports show that much needs to be done. The remedial action recommended by the groups tasked with uncovering problems are expensive in a number of ways, and not just for the retailers — the government is faced with the consequences of factory shutdowns, as are the factory owners and workers.
Some companies are leaving to establish manufacturing in other countries, for example, and workers often aren’t paid during shutdowns. Yet compliance is essential if workers are to be properly protected and in order to prevent further tragedy.