At least 47% of readymade garment (RMG) workers are now without any income amid the government-enforced shutdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country, according to a survey.
Besides, 24% of them are on leave with full pay, and another 11% are on leave with partial pay, say respondents in a research conducted jointly by Brac James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), Brac University and Bangladesh Health Watch (BHW).
The study covered 159 people – 51% male and 49% female- serving in the RMG sector and was conducted between April 3 and April 15 over phone. The findings were released at an online press briefing on Saturday.
At least 35% of the respondents said they had received no support, while 62% got some safety measures, including masks and only 9% received some economic support from their employers, including extra bonus.
The respondents said that they needed cash and food supply on an immediate basis.
Meanwhile, another multi-phase survey conducted over the phone found poor people bearing the brunt of the crisis because of income loss.
The survey, reaching 1,309 individuals between April 6-13, found 58% of households faced with complete loss of income, 29% with partial loss and 13% with no loss of income.
Similarly, 37% of the households reported that they were surviving on basic staple food such as rice, lentils and potatoes.
These households – that have been forced to adopt a diet lacking in diversity – showed significantly higher levels of stress.
Cash and food support for low-income groups have to be boosted and there also remains scope for more proactive awareness and knowledge campaigns, including addressing misinformation and the issue of stigma, recommended the paper.