UNICEF Bangladesh representative Edouard Beigbeder Tuesday said over four million garment workers and their families live in ‘deprived’ communities, with many more migrating to already-overcrowded areas as the industry grows. He also noted access to basic services in the slums is often impossible or cost prohibitive. Disease, poverty, illiteracy and exploitation are prolific, trapping garment workers and their families in a cycle of poverty, he added. He made the observation during the launch of ‘Children’s Rights and the Garment Industry in Bangladesh’ initiative at a city hotel. The objective of the project is to create awareness of the impact of the garment industry on the rights of children and working parents in Bangladesh; and to engage key stakeholders – business, government, civil society and non-governmental organisations on the challenges; and to invite them to work with UNICEF and partners to help shape the garment sector’s contribution to children’s rights and development in Bangladesh. “This initiative creates an opportunity for leaders in the RMG sector to join other industry stakeholders to expand existing structure, drive sustainable change for children contributing to healthy, educated, stable communities and workforces,” Mr Edouard said. The initiative is for those garment manufacturers who want to go extra mile to support the rights of children, working parents and young workers. Garment manufacturers that join this initiative will be supported to establish family-friendly workplaces to help improve the situation of working parents, particularly women; young workers and surrounding communities. The opening session was addressed by representatives from the Labour and Employment Ministry, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), UNICEF and Karmojibi Nari. UNICEF will work with 10 modules under the initiative that will address the issues of RMG workers’ children both at factory and community level. BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir said the BGMEA is committed to ensuring safety, dignity and well-being of the readymade garment workers. So, the trade association would welcome any positive endeavour of UNICEF for the industry. Joint Secretary of Labour Ministry Khondaker Mostan Hossain said the impact of the RMG sector on workers’ children is significant. Supporting children of the predominantly female workforce – with appropriate child care solutions, maternity rights at work, breastfeeding support -can have significant long term impact on children’s health and education. KarmoJibi Nari Executive Director Rokeya Rafique said in December 2014, the government and BGMEA announced ambitious targets to grow the sector from US$ 25 billion in 2012 to US$ 50 billion by 2021. This is a key moment for business, government, development actors and civil society to come together and strengthen the garment sector so that the RMG sector can positively contribute to women and children’s rights and development in Bangladesh.
