The share of women workers in ready-made garment (RMG) sector has declined in recent years, prompting industry leaders to emphasise skills development and equal opportunities in the workplace.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem said the association has taken initiatives to enhance women workers’ skills so they can better adapt to new technologies in the industry.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Hatem said women once accounted for nearly 75 per cent of the workforce in the garment sector, but the proportion has somewhat decreased over time.
“One reason behind this decline is the introduction of new technologies in factories, where many women workers have not yet been able to fully adapt,” he said.
Hatem also said that some women workers have returned to their villages after saving money during their employment in the sector and have started small businesses.
He said women’s participation is comparatively lower in newly automated factories, which has also contributed to the overall decline in female representation in the industry.
To address the issue, BKMEA has been conducting training programmes aimed at improving workers’ technical skills.
Under the government’s Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (SICIP), a total of 2,140 workers have already received training at member factories and independent training centres, he said, adding that around 90 percent of them are women.
Hatem expressed hope that women’s participation in the sector would increase again if the government expands support for such training initiatives.
“Women’s empowerment and their active participation in the workplace play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Marking International Women’s Day, the BKMEA president also conveyed his deep respect, gratitude and best wishes to women workers in the garment sector and to women across the country.
