Fairerose Afrin

Someone out there in the blue threw me some questions. I am delighted someone out there really pondering on these in Bangladesh.



Well here is my words’ regarding the above. Hope it touches you and makes sense:



Is social compliance is the same as corporate social responsibility?



This questions no doubt by wording of it is interrelated and it undoubtedly is the obligation and the actions of the same. If we excerpt the definition by EU it reads



"Result of conformance to the rules of social accountability by the extended organization including not only the organization's own policies and practices but also those of its supply and distribution chains. It is a continuing process in which the involved parties keep on looking for better ways to protect the health, safety, and fundamental rights of their employees, and to protect and enhance the community and environment in which they operate."



Well a hefty lot of words just to define social compliances. In context of Bangladesh these practices is somewhat paper works to gain clearance for obtaining the "go ahead" for sales and marketing needs.



However if we tear the above definition we would better understand why it has become a sales and marketing obligation. In our corporate cultures company rules and policies are not IN PRACTICE in most of the cases by the organization itself. And regarding the supply and distribution chain we can easily presume the situation.



On my sense it is more important to discuss what SOCIAL compliances width and breadth is than talk about more why it is not on PRACTICE in our rapidly growing industrialization. Is it only because lesser regulatory control of the Administration or the careless importers of our export product. However, the earlier cause is more to blame than the later one because the social compliances of the societies own responsibility rather than the importers.



As we can presume to meet the social compliances industry should be engaged on ensuring corporate social responsibility. Unfortunately in my view in our corporate social responsibility pathetically gain the name of "Corporate social CHARITY", even if company does take some actions to ensure health and safety of their employees at workplace; it viewed or in some sense projected as charity. The worker and employer relationship and the in most of the cases it looks like the employer doing something charitable rather fulfilling their legitimated obligation.



I think the present screen shot that i represented is not too harsh. There are really some company who ensure social compliances to fill up their corporate obligation not doing charity for its employee. Such as, um...... um... can’t remember the name, sorry!



Q2. Is lean Manufacturing possible in Bangladesh?



Lean manufacturing in today’s world is definitely possible in Bangladesh due to the trend of shifting nature of the industrialization. Also it’s proven business wise. The best example to this is to refer to "Ready-made Garments Industry”. In context of our country this industry has achieved similar to that of Toyotism; the inventor or successful implementer of Lean manufacturing concept.



If we refer to wiki definition of lean manufacturing and production management theory Bangladesh being a south Asian economy of 150 million population its once again not only a success but is the most attractive choices for investor's.



The Global shift on manufacturing and production system [the cost saving scheme of lean manufacturing] has entirely shifted from west to east. I believe so because the second principal of Lean manufacturing is a blend on human and machine to achieve mass production and achieve the ultimate goal. So the cheap & huge workforce is basically would have jeopardize if we shift the management process more towards automation than that of a perfect mixed of both, which is Bangladesh.



If we look more closely to the system Bangladesh stands in a more vantage point that of India and China. There are some production optimization which could only be achieved in Bangladesh like sourcing of raw materials inland for some industries like garments industry. Although most business owners keep this as of their secret. However, which is also favourable for sustainability in longer time span. However the Ramped part of the production optimization has very low chances of success due to some social problem like illiteracy and bad governance.





3. Can Trade Union activity be helpful in Bangladesh?



Yes, obviously. No never absolutely not, never in 1000 years. Both of earlier two statements are true for the above question. It depends which side you are on or which side is he questioners is from.



In general being more on the production side and being an economy of working class trade union is a must but that should be of a new kind. The Traditional trade union concepts that put off the investor or buyers, rather a trade union of which criteria are defined by the investors or buyer should be established.



All of us want to ensure and do our bit properly. So on the first question where social compliance were concern, trade union to ensure social compliance in our country is more desired than that of mid 1900s. So how the 21st century trade union looks like?



In my opinion 21st century trade union is more to be a necessary than one of the few options to ensure pay rise or issues like this. When the industry in having fake trade unions to get rid of the TROUBLEMAKER , while a true Union can reflect the honest concern for the employees and employer can breathe well at the same time.



The Constructive and honest approach to introduce Trade Union is definitely a healthy choice for a working class society. The above two topics that we discussed is closely knitted to establish and practice true sense of trade unionism. To exemplify we could look at china. Trade unionism given them social compliance and success through lean manufacturing, in Bangladesh we look forward to the same.





Please send your comments and feel free.