Bangladesh's current economic standing was built on the backs of our industry, and, perhaps more than most, the brunt of that achievement can be chalked up to our RMG sector.
The RMG sector has long shed the dark days of the Rana Plaza disaster and has come close to achieving stability, and although mounting global economic distress has indubitably put pressure on the industry, it still stands unwavering.
But the question always remains: How can we make the industry not only more resilient but have that resilience be sustainable as well?
To that end, a recent discussion held by the numerous layers of stakeholders within the industry might help it inch closer to an answer. Under the theme “partnership and inclusion for sustainable growth,” the discussion was organized by the Better Work Bangladesh (BWB) program -- a collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), reads a press release.
One of the key points raised in the discussion was the need for open dialogue between management and employees in order to promote a healthy working environment that is fair and free from abuse, two elements which have historically not been ensured within the RMG industry.
Ensuring worker rights is of paramount importance for any industry, more so for an industry that is considered the primary driving force of our economy. The fact that the well-being of RMG employees was not only included but also highlighted in these talks is what gives us some genuine reason for hope.
Of course, “sustainability” is a broad term, and in the age of climate change accelerated by rapid industrialization any discussion which does not broach the subject means very little. On that front, we hope that the RMG leaders and regulators would see fit to hold specialized forums on how we can truly make the sector as green as it can be in both the short and long terms.
Despite its massive contributions to our economy, the RMG sector still holds a lot of potential for future growth and sustainability, not just in terms of business but its impact on the environment as well. We just need to unlock that potential.
