It is high time we address the problems of Bangladeshi workers

Recognizing workers’ rights and meeting their needs is not just a matter of compliance with international standards; it’s about building a fair and resilient economy

After the fall of the Awami League government during the July uprising, garment workers in the industrial centers of Savar-Ashulia and Gazipur have protested against unpaid salaries, better wages and two-day weekends.

On October 27, Champa Khatun, a female garment worker who was injured in a clash with police in Ashulia on October 23, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

On September 30, a worker named Kawsar Ahmed Khan was shot dead by law enforcement personnel in Ashulia, Dhaka, while four other workers suffered gunshot wounds and at least 30 others were injured.

On September 17, in the Zirabo area of ​​Savar, another worker lost her life and more than 50 others were injured in a clash involving two workers at a garment factory.

Labor unrest is not new to Bangladesh. In the country’s industrial areas, workers often participate in protests and movements for better wages and basic rights, and these incidents often escalate into clashes. Law enforcement responses, including bludgeon attacks and sometimes open fire, have become a disturbing routine. Such responses are contrary to human rights and have attracted attention on platforms such as the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), where several countries raised concerns and recommended that Bangladesh improve its human rights practices, especially in the areas of the freedom of assembly.

Yet the violent crackdown on labor movements continues, raising the question: Are workers being treated as “labor” rather than as human beings?

Global indifference and local reality

The exploitation of workers is unfortunately a global phenomenon, yet the situation in Bangladesh is particularly dire. Despite the enactment of the 2006 Labor Act to protect the rights of Bangladeshi workers, the law remains largely theoretical and its provisions are rarely implemented in practice. This law outlines numerous rights, but these are often inaccessible to the employees it aims to protect.

For example, Section 46(1) of the Labor Code allows eight weeks of paid maternity leave before and after childbirth, yet most female workers, especially in non-governmental positions, struggle to get even a month’s leave without salary deductions.

Similarly, Section 100 prescribes an eight-hour working day, but in reality employees are required to work ten to twelve hours every day.

Bangladesh is one of the largest apparel exporters in the world, with the sector playing a crucial role in the economy. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) report ‘World Trade Statistics 2023: Key Insights and Trends’, Bangladesh ranks second globally in ready-made garment exports, securing around $47 billion in revenue and a national export record of $55.56 billion for the period 2022-2022. 23 financial year. This success highlights the crucial role of the garment industry, which accounted for 84.58% of total export earnings.

But even as the sector booms economically, workers bear the brunt of exploitation, long working hours and low wages, with little support or recognition of their fundamental rights.

The high costs of unsafe working conditions

The prevalence of fatalities and injuries in the workplace further highlights the plight of workers in Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS), around 709 workers died in industrial accidents in 2023, with men responsible for 706 deaths and women three. The Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHI) Foundation reports an even higher toll, with 1,432 worker deaths and 502 injuries in 2023 alone.

Although Article 214 of the Labor Code established a Labor Court to protect workers’ rights, this court has had limited impact on improving workplace safety.

The recurrence of these tragedies highlights the serious risks that workers in Bangladesh face every day. Despite promises of reform, unsafe conditions persist, indicating that profits are often prioritized over human lives. These circumstances also highlight a disturbing pattern of neglect and a system that is failing to ensure the dignity, safety and rights of its workers.

Wage-related unrest and risk of escalation

Wage disputes are a primary source of unrest within the clothing sector. Despite laws requiring wages to be paid within seven days of the end of each pay period (section 123), many factory owners are delaying payments, fueling employee resentment. Low wages, combined with salary arrears and the high cost of living, have forced workers to take to the streets repeatedly. The recent strikes are just one example of how unresolved issues in wage policy continue to create instability, put financial and emotional pressure on workers and disrupt industry production.

Labor unrest poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the garment sector. Extensive labor movements have led to the temporary closure of several factories, impacting productivity and international contracts. With Bangladesh’s garment industry playing such a crucial role in the economy, addressing these wage-related grievances is critical. Continued neglect could deepen the crisis in the sector, tarnish Bangladesh’s image globally and ultimately harm its economy.

Third party intervention

The recent unrest has raised concerns about the involvement of external forces. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, labor and employment adviser to the interim government, attributed the violence to rumors and suggested that third parties may have incited workers by spreading false information. Some reports indicate that this “third party” may include business groups linked to the former Awami League government, which are now trying to destabilize the interim government. If true, these allegations highlight a worrying trend of working-class struggles being used as a tool for political maneuvering.

Regardless of motivations, it is essential that authorities investigate and identify all actors manipulating employees for political gain. The government must act transparently to ensure that workers’ protests are dealt with fairly and with integrity, rather than being exploited as a tool of political power.

Recognizing employees as people and not as tools

The low wages paid to RMG workers, especially against the backdrop of rising costs of living, are neither adequate nor sustainable. While factory owners benefit significantly from the industry’s growth, the workers, who are the backbone of this industry, receive minimal benefits. For an industry that contributes so significantly to the national economy, treating workers with dignity should be a priority, not an afterthought.

Every instance of labor unrest results in lost work hours and productivity; resolving these conflicts is therefore not only humane but also economically sensible.

The government must act quickly to address these problems. Immediate steps are needed to ensure timely wage payments and to adjust wages to inflation. Only by respecting the fundamental rights of workers can Bangladesh guarantee sustainable growth in the garment sector. Recognition of workers as human beings, with intrinsic rights and dignity, must become the cornerstone of labor policy. Recognizing their contributions is essential to promoting a stable and thriving industry.

A call for change

The growth potential of the clothing sector is enormous, but it depends on a collaborative and respectful relationship between employers and employees. Failure to address garment workers’ long-standing grievances could plunge the industry into deeper crises, with far-reaching consequences for the national economy.

Workers are not just means of production; they are individuals with rights who deserve protection. Elevating their status from ‘worker’ to valued people within the industry is not only a moral imperative, but also a practical necessity for long-term prosperity.

Recognizing workers’ rights and meeting their needs is not just a matter of compliance with international standards; it’s about building a fair and resilient economy. As Bangladesh charts its path to development, ensuring that workers are respected, protected and valued must be at the heart of this journey.

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Shihab Uddin is a researcher and columnist.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Business Standard.