Journal of Research and Development
Open Access

Abstract

A Critical Juncture in the Global RMG Production Network of Bangladesh: Safety Reformations through Rapid Transfer of Technology

Shagufta M. Trishna*, Shahed Khan and Atiq Zaman

Millions of livelihoods of the lower-income group of Bangladesh relies upon the Ready Made Garment (RMG) industry the epicentre of the global apparel production and supply chain network. The RMG sector of Bangladesh makes a significant contribution not only to the developing nation’s overall welfare, but also its reputation and global image within the RMG global supply chain. Bangladesh had been making gradual progress on several compliance issues regarding workplace conditions such as adopting regulation against prolonged working hours and child labour. But the RMG industry received its wake-up call for ensuring safety in terms of factory building’s structural integrity and fire protection through two major industrial catastrophes the Tazreen Fashion fire incident in 2012 and the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013. These two incidents represent the worst cases of RMG industry disasters, prompting major challenges to the country’s safety regulatory authorities.

The question addressed in this article is whether rapid transfer of technology can effectively deliver safety regulatory reforms in the production nodes within global supply chains. This article focuses on the two factory disasters to examine how they marked a critical juncture in safety policy development in Bangladesh, leading to a rapid transfer of technology from the global north to global south to sustain a globalised production network. It also seeks to outline a comparison between the effectiveness of policy reforms effected through technology transfer in achieving fire safety and ensuring structural integrity of factory buildings.

Findings primarily drawn from literature review and interviews with professional resource persons suggest that although the RMG industry of Bangladesh has made substantial progress in correcting structural risks within factory buildings, fire still remains an unresolved issue posing unceasing threat to safety. These findings are significant for all stakeholders within the global supply chain network of Bangladesh, concerned with improving sustainability of the RMG industry and seeking to outline the responsibilities for each group of actors towards preventing building disasters. Both Tazreen Fashion fire incident and the Rana Plaza building collapse served as ‘critical junctures’ in rapid transfer of physical technology to enhance structural safety and streamline production planning within the RMG manufacturing factories within Bangladesh.

Published Date: 2025-01-02; Received Date: 2024-09-20