RMG Sustainability Council (Bengali: আরএমজি সাস্টেইনেবিলিটি কাউন্সিল) is a semi-official body responsible for ensuring a safe working environment in ready-made garment factories in Bangladesh.[1][2] It is responsible for inspecting factories in Bangladesh.[3] Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Amirul Haque Amin are co-chairman of the organisation.[4] Rubana Huq is an executive committee member of the council.[4][5]
History
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh met on 14 January 2020.[4] They decided to establish an organisation, RMG Sustainability Council, to take over the accord's responsibilities in Bangladesh.[4] RMG Sustainability Council was established on 1 June 2020.[4] The International Labour Organisation provided support to the creation of the council.[6]
The accord was established after the Rana Plaza collapse killed more than one thousand garment workers.[7] Following a legal battle, the accord was forced to leave Bangladesh leaving responsibility of monitoring factories to the RMG Sustainability Council.[7] The council has 200 employees.[7] International garment unions withdrew from the Council in 2021 to increase pressure for the creation of a new accord.[3] BGMEA has provided support to the council and the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments to carry out inspection of garment factories.[3]
RMG Sustainability Council issues certification stating inspected factories are complying with safety requirements under the accord.[8]
References
