Garment industry offers social protection for workers: BKMEA executive president

The apparel industry offers the highest compensation and benefits to workers under three ongoing programs, said BKMEA Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan.

"In terms of workers' wage range, injury, and death compensations, this sector provides the highest benefits compared to others," he said during an event titled "Awareness Development on Social Protection Scheme and Welfare Facilities for RMG Workers" held at Fakir Fashion Ltd in Narayanganj yesterday (11 January).

Ehsan highlighted that under one programme, a worker's family received death benefits totaling a record amount of Tk36 lakh.

"Every life is important to us and their families. Despite the loss, a fund is in place to support the families of deceased workers who were financially dependent on them," he added. 

He explained that this fund is built through contributions from factory owners and provides compensation for both major injuries and fatalities.

Fakir Fashion Chief Textile Officer Md Hafizur Rahman stated that the company remains committed to supporting its employees alongside government-provided benefits.

According to officials, Fakir Fashion Ltd employs 18,000 people in a single unit and exported goods worth $215 million in FY 2024. They aim to achieve $256 million in exports in the current fiscal year.

BKMEA is raising awareness among 25,000 workers, 450 middle-level officials, and 450 worker representatives from 30 ready-made garment factories in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur.

The awareness programmes focus on the Central Fund, Employment Injury Scheme, and Mother and Child Support Scheme. This initiative is being conducted under the supervision of UNCDF in collaboration with the H&M Foundation.