Despite the pivotal role played by women in the RMG industry, experts at a dialogue on Thursday said that the effective implementation of their rights faced numerous hurdles.
The competitive dynamics of the market and the increasing impact of automation in the garment sector further compound these challenges, instilling concerns among workers about potential job losses.
This raises critical questions about the need for a comprehensive examination of the rights and well-being of women working in Bangladesh's apparel industry amidst evolving economic and technological landscapes, they further commented.
Management consulting firm Lightcastle Partners, in collaboration with Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, organized the dialogue titled "Embracing Wellbeing: Nurturing the Future of Apparel Workers in the Industry."
To ensure sustainable growth in the industry, there must be a concerted effort to enhance the productivity and well-being of workers. This entails a focus on improving the health of women workers, promoting financial inclusion, and facilitating skills development to align with the industry's changing landscape, experts also said.
The experts acknowledged that some factory owners and stakeholders have taken commendable initiatives for the welfare of women workers at their own expense.
However, they pointed out that a significant portion of owners has not been proactive in taking initiatives to enhance the well-being of the workers.
This picture emerged from the report titled "Threads of Progress: A Comprehensive Landscape Study of the Apparel Industry and the Future of Women Workers" which was published by LightCastle Partners in collaboration with Policy Exchange.
A number of challenges taking into competitive market conditions were highlighted at the dialogue. These are: the threat of workers losing their jobs due to increasing automation in the garment sector, increasing gender inequality in the sector, health and safety risks for women workers, their less inclusion in the financial sector and denial of human rights.
Deputy Commerce Secretary Md Selim Hossen emphasized the strategic necessity of ensuring the well-being of women workers in the apparel sector for sustainable growth, acknowledging the sector's significance as the backbone of the country's economy.
Samiha Anwar, Business Consultant of LightCastle partners, was the key moderator.
Julia Ahmed, independent consultant, shared insights and moderated a discussion on ‘health of women workers at garment sector, safe work environment and social rights’.
Md. Jamal Uddin, RMG expert, moderated another discussion on ‘financial inclusion, upskilling and reskilling of garment workers’.
M Masrur Reaz moderated a discussion on ‘Developing a productive workforce for a competitive RMG Sector’.
The event was held as part of Bunon 2030 project titled ‘Oporajita: Collective Impact on Future of Work’, which is funded by the H&M Foundation with the support of The Asia Foundation.
The project intends to improve sector competitiveness, skills development and employability opportunities for women apparel workers based on an improved understanding of the impact of technology and automation on the apparel industry.