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Improving working conditions in the ready-made garment sector Phase 2 (RMGP II) and Building responsible value chains in Asia through the promotion of decent work in... - Cluster evaluation

eval_number:

2743

eval_url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/eval/2743

lessons_learned:

themes:

theme:

Programme implementation

category:

Organizational issues

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comments:

The target users are policymakers, government officials, and decision-makers involved in industrial governance and regulation, particularly those responsible for DIFE and its operations. The beneficiaries are the private industrial establishments themselves, as well as the workers and communities affected by these establishments. By improving DIFE's capacity and enforcement capabilities, the aim is to ensure regulatory reforms as well as improved enforcements which in turn are expected to improve compliance with regulations, and overall improvement in the industrial safety in different sectors.

challenges:

The challenge to ensuring DIFE enhanced role in other sectors is the continued interests of the government and willingness to change the safety culture beyond the RMG sector. The government now perceives well that the decades of investment in promoting workplace safety have to a great extent materialized at least in the RMG sector. Bangladesh has evaded the negative perception of the brands and buyers regarding the state of safety in its supply chain. There are a few legislative constraints; the current legislative landscape may prevent DIFE from applying meaningful sanctions for non-compliance, undermining the organisation's enforcement capabilities. Digitization and effective inspection face implementation due to technological barriers, lack of infrastructure, or resistance to change at the enterprise level. The current manpower of DIFE of the country is yet limited in view of the expanding private sector factories as the DIFE is responsible for inspecting all shops, establishments, and factories in the country, it is unlikely that the institution will be able to inspect all of them. The human resources and capacity of the newly formed safety unit too must be expanded in order to conduct proactive inspections in RGM and other sectors.

success:

Continued willingness of the GoB: Government has shown a willingness to extend inspection to risk-prone factories beyond RMG. Capacity enhancement: Increasing DIFE's capacity, particularly through the adoption of digitization and effective inspection procedures, can improve monitoring efforts despite limited human resources. Risk-based approach: Prioritizing inspections based on risk and vulnerability allows for better allocation of limited resources, focusing efforts where they are most needed. Strengthened enforcement capabilities: By addressing the challenges related to legislative constraints and implementing measures to strengthen enforcement capabilities, DIFE can enhance its ability to ensure compliance and apply meaningful sanctions. Technical proficiency development: By investing in the technical proficiency of DIFE inspectors on LIMA, including the RTM, the organization can adapt to emerging sectors, effectively regulate new industries, and address evolving challenges.

context:

The foremost precondition was that the government was willing to see changes in the DIFE institutional and technical capacity enhanced for effective inspection of factories. Government interests prompted the commitment, collaboration, and active participation of government agencies in regulating industrial safety and establishing an effective labour inspection system. The best practice is expected to be continuing with further technical support in enhancing the DIFE technical and institutional capacity.

description:

Still a ‘way to go’ in terms of translating enhanced DIFE capacities to achieving impact beyond the RMG sector. In theory, enhancement of DIFE’s human resources and capacities during RMGP II indicates that its impact will go beyond the RMG sector. However, in reality, further expansion and transformation would be needed to allow DIFE to make broader impact beyond the RMG sector. DIFE and its newly created structure of ISU would need further enhanced capacities and continued GoB commitments would be required to improve safety and social compliances in high-risk profile but non-RMG sectors of the country.

administrative_issues:

ILO programmatic and administrative support would be needed in continued support to the Government (in particular DIFE) in: (a) ensuring commitment, collaboration, and active participation of government agencies in regulating industrial safety and establishing an effective labour inspection system. By addressing the challenges related to legislative constraints and implementing measures to strengthen enforcement capabilities, DIFE can enhance its ability to ensure compliance and apply meaningful sanctions to non-compliances. (b) increasing DIFE's capacity, particularly through the adoption of digitization and effective inspection procedures, can improve monitoring efforts despite limited human resources; LIMA would require further development and promotion in such a way that it can achieve its potential for effective tracking for the RMG sector and beyond. (c) Assisting prioritization of inspections based on risk and vulnerability allows for better allocation of limited resources; and (d) investing in the technical proficiency of DIFE inspectors, the organization can adapt to emerging sectors, effectively regulate new industries, and address evolving challenges.

url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/lessons/232426

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location:

country:

Bangladesh

region:

Asia and the Pacific

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eval_title:

Improving working conditions in the ready-made garment sector Phase 2 (RMGP II) and Building responsible value chains in Asia through the promotion of decent work in... - Cluster evaluation