Why workers don’t want to leave Rising Group, even if it offers little beyond labour law

Highlights:

• Worker dropout rate is below 2% in Rising's factories
• In the garment sector, average rate is around 5%
• Rising group employs 15,000 people in 14 factories
• Workers' medical needs are attended 24/7
• Rising does not offer any special benefits, but ensures compliance
• Timely wages, respectful treatment, suitable work environment behind worker satisfaction

Rising Group, one of the country's leading garment exporters, stands as a notable example of how simply ensuring timely payment of wages, respectful treatment, and a suitable work environment – without offering any significant benefits beyond what labour law mandates – can still keep workers satisfied, reduce unrest, and retain staff.

Starting nearly three decades ago in Dhaka's Mirpur with just 120 machines, Rising Fashions Limited has now become a top-tier group of companies in Bangladesh's readymade garments and textile sector, comprising 14 companies and employing nearly 15,000 people.

According to the company, some workers and staff from the founding days are still employed at the group's factories. In the garment sector, worker turnover – known as the dropout rate – averages around 5%, meaning five out of every 100 workers typically leave each month. But in Rising's factories, the average dropout rate is below 2%, considered a major achievement for any factory.

The lower the dropout and absenteeism rates, the higher the factory's productivity. Notably, despite being located in Dhaka's Mirpur – a region often affected by labour unrest – Rising Group's multiple factories have seen no significant labour disputes.

Conversations with factory management reveal that workers are not offered much in the way of extra financial benefits beyond what the law mandates. So why don't workers want to leave, and why is there so little discontent?

Asma Akhter, a worker at Rising Fashions Limited who has been employed there for over eight years, told The Business Standard, "The work environment is good. We receive our previous month's salary between the 4th and 6th of each month."

She added, "Production managers or supervisors don't put extra pressure on us or scold us; we can work peacefully. I've worked in other factories before, but none were as good as this one."

"I want to continue working in this factory as long as I work in garments," she said.

Asam, a senior operator earning between Tk 20,000 and Tk 22,000 a month, added, "Here, workers get access to daycare facilities for their children, leave when sick, occasional financial aid, and timely Eid bonuses."

"Workers here generally don't want to move to other factories," she said, adding, "If they do leave, they usually return to their villages or switch to other professions."

Rabeya Akhter, another worker who has been working at the same factory in Mirpur for over eight years, told TBS, "I get my salary on time every month. The PIMs and line managers here behave well. If a supervisor misbehaves, the owner removes them from the factory. The good work environment makes it pleasant to work here."

"I don't want to leave this factory as long as I'm in the garment sector," she added.

According to the Rising Group website, all of their factories maintain child care facilities with light food for the child. "We make sure mother and child are always taken care of under our watch," it says.

The group also runs a health programme called Her Health, which focuses entirely on the well-being of female employees by offering health counselling and organising various health-related workshops. "We keep our employees safe by taking care of their medical needs 24/7 – all in house," its website states.

Nargis Akter. Sketch: TBS

Nargis Akter, Chairperson of Rising Group, told TBS, "We do not offer any special benefits beyond what is mandated by labour law. But we ensure compliance is maintained in the factories, and that salaries are paid on time every month."

"As a result, workers see the factory as their family," she added. Referring to the company's 15,000-strong workforce, she said, "There has never been a case of labour unrest in this factory. In fact, when unrest or vandalism occurs in neighbouring factories, our workers remain alert to protect our premises."

Factory authorities said that even some workers and staff who joined the company back in 1997 are still working here.

The company was founded by Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, who is currently the president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Besides garments, the group has also expanded its business into textiles, washing, packaging, and accessories. Its current turnover is close to $200 million.

Workers at the group's factories are also represented by trade unions. Aklima, president of one such union, told TBS, "Since 2016, I've been serving as president of a factory trade union. During this time, I've never seen any labour unrest."

"The employer proactively informs workers about the legally mandated benefits; we don't even need to negotiate for them."

"Any minor issues are resolved through discussion with the management," she added.