Dhaka, March 3 -- The majority of Bangladesh's export-oriented garment factories not affiliated with any of the apex trade bodies in the sector ship products to non-traditional markets mainly because of less compliance requirements from buyers.

Industry insiders say most of these "non-member" units sub-contract their work, a practice that allegedly lacks oversight nationally and internationally, thus posing risks of various kinds, including underpayments, safety concerns, and abuses.

According to Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB), an open apparel registry, some 836 export-oriented factories are not registered with either Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) or Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Associ...