A tale of fiascos and dilemmas – lessons from Bangladesh garment factories

Where there is inadequate management of risk during the implementation of a project the very outcome being sought is often compromised.

That is now the case with the Accord on Fire and Building Safety which was a welcome initiative following the tragic deaths of five years ago.

The Government has “found itself” short on factories to standard – and short on inspectorate capability to build capacity and assure compliance. Combined with an economy where 80% of exports are from the rag trade, it has chosen to put pressure on the very body it needs to get things right.

Instead of a solution, they have created a problem. And compounding that, it was a foreseeable problem. How this plays out over the next few weeks will be very interesting – and hopefully, not tragic. If you are looking for a challenge then consider applying for the position below which was advertised today.

Getting the resolution of this dilemma right will require rigour and sensitivity, balance and good risk management. If that does not happen, the compromises will fall hard – on everyone.