Dhaka: An amount of Tk 108 crore mobilised in the prime minister’s aid fund to distribute among Rana Plaza victims remains unused, says a TIB study detecting lack of transparency and dillydallies in disbursement of funds managed for the victims.

‘About Tk 108 crore out of Tk 127 crore deposited to the prime minister’s aid fund for the victims is yet to be disbursed,’ the TIB study says.

TIB assistant programme manager (research and policy) Nazmul Huda Mina revealed the findings of the study, titled ‘Initiatives taken to ensure good governance in RMG sector: Review on progress of last one year’, at a press conference at the TIB’s city office on Tuesday.

TIB trustee board chairperson Sultana Kamal, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, deputy executive director Sumaiya Khair and director Rafiqul Hasan were present.

The TIB study says about 220 small and medium RMG factories were shut down after Rana Plaza tragedy for lack of compliance and cancellation of work orders by buyers.

Although the RMG buyers, the government and the Bangladesh Garment Manufactures & Exporters Association (BGMEA) are committed to conducting a survey on factories working on sub-contracts and developing compliance, there is a tendency to avoid their responsibilities, the report says.

The study fears that if the present situation in the RMG sector continues, about 7 lakh RMG works will be at risk of losing their jobs.

After the Rana Plaza collapse, the government and stakeholders have taken various initiatives to bring good governance in the RMG sector, says the TIB study, conducted during April 2014-March 2015.

Although 60 percent of these initiatives have already been implemented, the TIB thinks that these projects have failed to bring the expected results in advancing labour rights and ensuring their job security and other benefits.

About the implementation works of 80 projects in fiscal 2014-15, the study says some 12 of these projects have already been implemented. Although 48 projects are progressing, 32 are facing troubles in implementation throwing challenges to good governance in the RMG sector.

The TIB executive director said although minimum salary of RMG workers has been raised after the Rana Plaza collapse, this salary hike was not consistent to their lifestyle.

Demanding the announcement of separate ministry for the RMG sector, he said although many acts were announced after accidents like Rana Plaza collapse, non-implementation of those laws accelerates corruption and irregularities in the sector.

The TIB put forward a 10-point recommendation to bring good governance in the RMG sector.