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Relationship between Workers and Owners in the Readymade Garment sector in Bangladesh

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Sociology, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100. Bangladesh
  • 2Department of Political Science, National University, Dhaka, Gazipur -1704, Bangladesh
  • 3Departments of Political Science, Kushtia Government Girls College, Kushtia-7001, Bangladesh

Res. J.  Language and Literature Humanities, Volume 3, Issue (3), Pages 1-11, March,19 (2016)

Abstract

Readymade garment sector is one of the most challenging research fields of the world and rapidly growing sector of Bangladesh. Bangladesh becomes the highest supplier of garment products to USA and European market. Now Bangladesh is the first choice of many international brands because of comparatively lower wage of workers than India, Indonesia, Philippine and Cambodia. It is true that garment sector is creating employment, but at the same time it endangers lives of workers. Looking into recent Spectram, Rana plaza, Tazreen or Aswad Spinning accident we see thousands of workers die because of poor safety and deprivation from legal rights. Discontent between workers and owners is increasing. Workers take the path of violence to demonstrate their demand. Labor rights organizations and BGMEA confront each other. In this disastrous environment, many international brands cancel their order. BGMEA and government have taken few steps to eliminate discontent of workers but their efforts are criticized by union leaders as those steps would serve the interests of owners rather than workers. Actually to ensure smooth growth of RMG sector, good relationship between workers and owners is mandatory. This research focuses on explaining existing situation in garments factories and identifying major challenges with possible recommendations. This research is conducted on 82 samples living in Mirpur and Savar. Samples are chosen in a purposive way. Qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques both are undertaken to do this research. Researcher does a sample survey with a semi structured interview schedule and case study analysis. Following both qualitative and quantitative data collection ensures maximum objectivity and subjectivity of research. Moreover Marx’s theory of surplus value, Management and work adjustment theory, six behavior and work environment types theory by Holland helps this researcher to understand gap of relationship between workers and owners. This research paper provides demographic characteristics of workers. Besides it illustrates existing situation in training duration, payment during temporary employment, working hour, payment time, weekly holiday, bonus, absence fee, salary system, promotion, sex segregation, possibility to leave present factory and causes, right of unionization of workers in garments sector of Bangladesh. Furthermore it identifies major challenges and some future recommendation collected from workers. This research is conducted in the year 2013(Jun-October).

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