Employment Textile industry in Bangladesh

more 80% of labor force in garment factories in bangladesh female.

of millions of wage earning children in bangladesh in 1990, of them worked in ready-made garment industry. based on bangladesh bureau of statistics labor force survey estimated there 5.7 million 10- 14-year-old children engaged in child labor. number may have been high 15 million children. in 1993 employers in bangladesh ready-made garment (rmg) industry dismissed 50,000 children (c. 75 percent of child workers in textile industry) out of fear of economic reprisals of imminent passage of child labor deterrence act (the harkin bill after senator tom harkin, 1 of senators proposed bill). act banned importation united states of products manufactured or mined in whole or in part children have resulted in loss of lucrative american contracts. impact on bangladesh s economy have been significant export-oriented ready-made garment industry represents of country s exports.

the results of surveys varied on demographics , size of ready-made garments industry @ time of harkin bill. 1 study estimated there 600,000 workers in industry., bgmea estimate c. 800,000. asian-american free labor institute (aafli) reported in 1994 females constituted 90 percent of adult workers, , 60 percent of child workers.

garment factory in bangladesh

according new york times journalist august 2012 garment or textile industry exports worth $18 billion year, accounted 80 percent of manufacturing exports , more 3 million jobs . according 2014 bureau of international labor affairs s list of goods produced child labor or forced labor, bangladeshi garments , textile industry still employs underage children effective governmental measures taking considerable time implemented.

women in garment industry

the structure of gender participation in economy underwent major shift rise of ready-made garment industry in bangladesh. estimates world bank put number of female workers in industry in 1980s @ 50,000; number brought 2.85 million 2008 , lies on 3 million mark. traditionally participation of women in bangladesh s formal economy minimal. bangladesh s flagship export-oriented ready-made garment industry, however, female labor accounting 90 percent of work force, built large extent, on supply of cheap , flexible female labor in country. 2001 textile industry employed 3 million workers of whom 90% women. in 2004 garment sector remained largest employer of women in bangladesh. 2013, there approximately 5,000 garment factories, employing 4 million people, women.

the garment sector has provided employment opportunities women rural areas did not have opportunity part of formal workforce. has given women chance financially independent , have voice in family because contribute financially.

however, women workers face problems. women come low income families. low wage of women workers , compliance have enabled industry compete world market. women paid far less men due lack of education. women reluctant unionize because factory owners threaten fire them. though trade unionization banned inside export processing zones (epz), working environment better of majority of garment factories operate outside epzs. but, pressure buyers abide labor codes has enabled factories maintain satisfactory working conditions.

working conditions

garment workers have protested against low wages. firsts protests broke out in 2006, , since then, there have been periodic protests workers. has forced government increase minimum wages of workers.

many textile factories in bangladesh compromise worker health , safety because of tough pressure ordering companies make tight deadlines. management push workers in order ensure order fulfilled. poses problem workers have no avenues file complaint. none of factories have sort of human resources department , local officials turn blind eye violations. moreover, of these workers poor women. without structure formalized union, many lack ability speak of injustices either lack of knowledge or fear of losing economic security.

the lackluster enforcement of safety mechanisms creates hazardous working conditions , negligible workers rights though bangladesh has been member of international labour organization (ilo) since 1972 , ilo been operating bangladeshi office since 1973. in time bangladesh has ratified 33 ilo agreements , 8 fundamental conventions, there still glaring gaps in protecting worker safety. many experts call on corporate organizations take responsibility , place pressure on government , factory owners treat workers fairly.