There is no doubt that automation has increased Bangladesh’s ability to compete in global export markets. However, an average of 30.58 percent of workers at the factory level have lost their jobs due to this, a large portion of whom worked as helpers.
This information was revealed in a study titled ‘Technological Transformation of Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment Sector and Its Impact on Workers’. The survey report was presented at Hotel Amari in Gulshan, the capital, on Sunday. The Bangladesh Labor Foundation and international civil society organization Solidaridad organized the event.
The survey and research activities were led by Professor Shahidur Rahman of the Department of Economics and Sociology, BRAC University.
The survey was conducted from August to October this year. Data was collected through interviews with 429 workers in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj, discussions with 26 relevant stakeholders and four focus group discussions.
According to the survey, the highest number of job losses in the garment sector is in sweater factories. 37.03 percent of workers in such factories have lost their jobs. The job loss rate in the woven sector for making shirts and pants is 27.23 percent.
There are several stages of work in garment production. Of these, the highest number of workers in the cutting sector, 48.34 percent lost their jobs. The second highest number of workers in the sewing sector, 26.57 percent lost their jobs.
However, in the discussion, Miran Ali, a member of the BGMEA’s supporting committee and former Vice President of the organization, said that the workers were not actually unemployed. They were trained and used in other departments. While there are cases of job losses due to automation, new employment opportunities have also been created.
He said that Bangladesh has come out of the concept of ‘cheap prices, high purchases’. Automation is increasing in this process. Considering the overall situation in Bangladesh, partial automation is safe rather 100% automation.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the discussion meeting on the occasion of the release of the report, Labor Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said that there is no alternative to automation to increase capacity in the global competitive market. However, how to deal with the challenge of automation should be seriously considered.
Terming the lack of skilled workers in automation as a major challenge for the garment sector, the Labor Secretary said that initiatives should be taken to improve the skills of workers according to the needs of the industry.
