The number of women workers in Bangladesh’s garment sector has been steadily decreasing over the years. According to recent data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), women accounted for 80% of the workforce in this sector in 1980, but that number has dropped to 53.7% by 2021.
This decline is primarily observed among workers aged 18 to 35, with many leaving the industry once they reach the age of 35 to pursue alternative professions, including agriculture, domestic work, or operating their own tailoring businesses.
This shift is driven by several factors, including unrest in factories, the hope of earning higher wages, and the desire for more independent work. However, this trend poses a significant risk to the garment sector, which is a key driver of the country’s export revenue. The lack of skilled workers could lead to stagnation in the industry.
To reverse this trend, it is essential to create a safe, women-friendly working environment, protect workers’ rights, ensure timely and fair wages, and provide better health services. These measures are crucial for maintaining a skilled and motivated workforce, which is vital not only for the garment industry but also for the broader development of the country.
Furthermore, it is important to address the challenges posed by decarbonization, the transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, and the fourth industrial revolution (automation) to ensure the sustainable development of this sector. These challenges must be met to help Bangladesh remain competitive in the global market.
This information was shared during a keynote presentation titled “Bunon 2030: Key Interventions, Insights, and Way Forward for Bangladesh’s RMG Sector” at a discussion event held at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Saturday.
The presentation was delivered by Zahedul Amin, co-founder and director of LightCastle Partners.
The event was jointly organized by the Dhaka-based international business consultancy firm LightCastle Partners and Policy Exchange Bangladesh.
The report, under the same title, was unveiled at the event and handed over to key stakeholders, including government representatives and leaders from the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
The report, which was based on feedback from over 100 industry leaders, and government officials, examined key topics from four dialogues held over the past year.
The first dialogue focused on ‘Circularity, Decarbonization, and Competitiveness,’ the second on “Embracing Wellbeing—Nurturing the Future of Apparel Workers in the Industry,” the third on “Sustainable Apparel’s Future—Navigating Industry Shifts by 2030,” and the final and fourth on “Future-Proofing RMG—Tackling Automation for Sustainable Growth and Worker Wellbeing.”
Saturday’s event marked the closing session of the 2024 “Bunon: 2030” series.
The chief guest at the event was Anwar Hossain, administrator of BGMEA and vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Mohammad Hatem, president of BKMEA, MA Jabbar, managing director of DBL Group, Prof Mohammad A Momen, co-founder of Pride Group, and Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of Build, also spoke at the event.
The session was chaired by Dr M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, while Ainee Islam, director, Program Development, The Asia Foundation delivered the opening remarks.
The presentation highlighted key insights and recommendations from all the dialogues, emphasizing the importance of Bangladesh enhancing resource efficiency and striving for a just transition, particularly in light of its upcoming LDC graduation, while strategically aligning with EU regulations.
In addition, Mohammad Hatem presented strategies to achieve General System of Preferences (GSP) Plus targets after Bangladesh’s transition from Least Developed Countries (LDC) status. He highlighted the financial crisis which hinders adoption of energy-efficient technologies in RMG factories. Non-compliance among some garment owners could further worsen the situation.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau’s data for 2023-2024, Bangladesh is the world’s top ranking exporter of ready-made garments. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the country exported garments worth US$36 billion, which accounted for 10.35% of its national GDP. The industry currently employs over 4 million workers. Therefore, if these issues are not addressed, both the garment sector and the country’s economy could face significant disruptions.
For further information, please visit https://www.lightcastlebd.com/bunon2030/
