In the 1990s, nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) employees were female. According to one report, the percentage was 76% in 1995 and dropped to 54% by 2021. Moreover, 51% of those who left the industry in 2021 were female.
A significant drop in women’s labor in the Ready-Made Garment sector is alarming in Bangladesh. But why it happens, needs to be examined. Primarily it shows that the immense burden of family responsibilities is one of the primary factors contributing to the decline of female workers in the RMG industry. In addition to that the RMG industry’s difficult working conditions are a very big challenge for women.
The ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh has long been a major contributor to the country’s economic progress and development. Over the past three decades, the export-oriented RMG sector and the NGO movement have been instrumental in increasing female employment. Consequently, these forces have geared up the women empowering in the country. Throughout the history of human civilization, women have played a crucial role in the agricultural sector and modern days, in the progress of industrialization, and now in this industry of Bangladesh. They have engaged in supplying the labors and that has fueled its phenomenal growth. Recent reports, however, indicate an alarming trend: a decline in the number of women employed in the RMG industry.
Present condition
The percentage of women employed in Bangladesh’s RMG industry has decreased to approximately 54% by 2021, from nearly 80% during the 1980s. This decline has been a progressive process, with surveys over the years revealing fluctuating numbers. In the 1990s, nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) employees were female. According to one report, the percentage was 76% in 1995 and dropped to 54% by 2021. Moreover, 51% of those who left the industry in 2021 were female.
Why is the number declining?
Several factors contribute to the declining participation of women in the RMG sector. The primary reasons include:
Family responsibilities and work-life balance
According to a report titled “The declining women workers in the Bangladesh RMG industry,” conducted jointly by The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), GIZ, and Brac University, a staggering 26.67 percent of former workers cited providing for children as the reason they left the industry. For women, juggling demanding work schedules with childcare and domestic responsibilities has become increasingly difficult.
The vast majority of female workers who departed the sector, or 89%, reported that they did so voluntarily, as their contracts were not terminated by factory management. 77% of the reasons cited by former employees were family-related, such as providing for children (26.67%), pregnancy (17.89%), and age-associated (11.9%).
Harsh working conditions
According to the same report, 19.29% of former employees departed due to harsh working conditions, such as excessive workload, long work hours, and low pay. Frequently, the demands of the factories force employees to produce between 180 and 200 units per hour, creating an environment of constant stress. These conditions hurt the physical and mental health of women, making them more likely to leave the industry.
Secretary of Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre, Joly Talukder, points out that the number of female workers has not decreased in other sectors. She believes the labor-intensive nature of RMG factories is one of the core reasons why women are dropping out. “Working in an RMG factory is exhausting. So much so that after 35 or 40 years of age, women cannot keep working. They also develop many physical problems from working long hours.”
Limited career progression
Another significant challenge women face in the RMG sector is the lack of career progression opportunities. While many women begin their careers as assistants or operators, only 1% advance to supervisory positions, according to the report. This severe lack of upward mobility restricts women to positions with few opportunities for career advancement.
In contrast, male employees frequently ascend the career ladder, leaving women in lower-level positions. This gender gap discourages women from pursuing long-term careers in the industry.
Technological advancements and institutional education
In recent years, the RMG industry in Bangladesh has rapidly adopted technological advancements, but this has created a challenge for female employees. Many women in the industry have a low level of education, and these technological advancements now require employees to have at least an SSC or higher.
In 2018, a joint study by the ILO and International Finance Corporation revealed that female RMG workers do not receive adequate training and that male employees are frequently given priority when it comes to learning new machine operations.
CPD research director Khandaker Golam Moazzem said the demand for skilled workers is increasing. “Besides, it is becoming difficult for new women to get involved in this (RMG) sector due to its labor-intensive nature of work. Women are quitting their jobs to take care of their children. Without initiatives taken at the public-private level to make women skilled, it will be difficult for them to sustain in this profession,” said Golam Moazzem.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact
The pandemic of COVID-19 had a significant impact on the RMG industry. As a result of lockdowns and factory closures, many employees were compelled to return to their villages, and some have not yet returned to work. In addition, the pandemic exacerbated problems faced by female employees, including an increase in sexual and verbal assault. Women’s struggle to provide for their families has been exacerbated by the pandemic’s economic hardships, which could lead to an exodus of more women from the sector.
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UN Women conducted a survey in 2019 which revealed that 95 percent of line supervisor jobs were held by males.
Impact on the economy
Women’s declining participation in Bangladesh’s RMG sector has far-reaching economic consequences. As women make up a significant portion of the workforce in this vital industry, their dwindling presence has repercussions for the national economy.
Reduced factory productivity
The decline in the number of female factory employees affects overall factory output. This represents a substantial decline compared to prior years. Women are known for their attention to detail and determination, qualities that contribute to the sector’s effectiveness. Their diminishing presence in the industry may result in lower levels of RMG factory productivity and impact the sector’s global market competitiveness.
Loss of skilled labor
When women leave the RMG industry, they carry with them valuable skills and experience. This loss of specialized labor may lead to decreased productivity and quality control. Since its inception in the 1970s, female RMG employees have been the industry’s backbone. Their loss is detrimental to the sector’s competitiveness and ability to meet international standards.
Impact on export earnings
The RMG industry is a key contributor to Bangladesh’s gross domestic product and export revenues. Since 1980 (WB), when export-oriented RMGs began their journey, Bangladesh’s economy has grown by approximately 15 times. It has significantly decreased the number of individuals residing below the poverty line.
The RMG sector has played a significant role in Bangladesh’s economic development, employing nearly 4 million people (a 2020 study) and contributing 14% to Bangladesh’s GDP (Government of Bangladesh, 2020). The export potential of the sector may be impacted by a decrease in the number of female employees.
Gender equality and economic empowerment
Beyond its immediate economic effects, the declining number of women in the RMG sector impedes progress toward gender equality and economic empowerment for women. In addition to benefiting individual families, empowering women in the workforce contributes to broader societal development.
This will likely reverse the economic gains made by the country and for women in particular, as well as have an impact on the country’s efforts to meet its development goals related to Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment and its commitments under Vision 2041.
To address the decline in female employment in Bangladesh’s RMG industry, a multifaceted strategy is needed. This includes improving working conditions, providing skills development and upward mobility opportunities, strengthening labor policies, raising social awareness, offering childcare support, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting female entrepreneurship. These measures aim to promote gender equality, enhance workplace conditions, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.
In conclusion, the decline in the number of women employed in Bangladesh’s RMG sector is alarming and calls for immediate action. In addition to benefiting the women themselves, addressing the underlying causes and obstacles contributes to a more equitable and prosperous Bangladesh.
