Women workers in RMG sector decreasing: report
The decline is primarily observed among workers aged 18 to 35, with many leaving the industry after the age of 35 to pursue alternative livelihoods, such as agriculture, domestic work, or running their own tailoring businesses, the report said
The number of women workers in Bangladesh's garment sector has been steadily decreasing over the years.
Women constituted 80% of the workforce in this sector in 1980, but that number has dropped to 53.7% by 2021, according to recent data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
This was shared during the presentation of a report titled "Bunon 2030: Key Interventions, Insights, & Way Forward for Bangladesh's RMG Sector" at a discussion jointly organised by LightCastle Partners and Policy Exchange Bangladesh at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday.
The decline is primarily observed among workers aged 18 to 35, with many leaving the industry after the age of 35 to pursue alternative livelihoods, such as agriculture, domestic work, or running their own tailoring businesses, the report said.
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This shift is attributed to several factors, including factory unrest, the prospect of earning higher wages elsewhere, and the desire for more independent and flexible work. However, the trend poses a significant threat to the garment sector, which is a key driver of the country's export revenue, it added.
The report emphasised that the lack of skilled workers could lead to stagnation in the industry. To counter this trend, it is crucial to establish a safe and women-friendly working environment, protect workers' rights, ensure timely and fair wages, and improve health services. These measures are essential for sustaining a skilled and motivated workforce, which is vital not only for the growth of the garment industry but also for the overall development of the country.
Zahedul Amin, co-founder and director of LightCastle Partners, delivered the presentation.
The chief guest at the event was Anwar Hossain, administrator of BGMEA and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau, Mohammad Hatem, president of BKMEA, MA Jabbar, managing director of DBL Group, Professor 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 M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, while Ainee Islam, director of programme development at the Asia Foundation, delivered the opening remarks.
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.
