Challenges to increasing visibility and support for children in Bangladesh's informal ready‐made garment factories

Abstract

Worker voice tools can support multinational companies to monitor social compliance within complex multi‐tier apparel supply chains. This study presents findings from an adaptation of a worker voice tool that contacted 11,555 workers in two informal ‘Ready‐made Garment’ (RMG) production hubs in Bangladesh. Results indicate a high level of child labour, particularly among boys, and present characteristics of exploitative working conditions. The authors also share challenges in facilitating support services for identified child labourers. This study informs multi‐sectoral strategies for business adherence to sustainable supply chain management, and government commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 for Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Sustainability transformation in the textile industry—The case of wastewater management

“…As per the suggestions of (Chanani et al, 2022), the incorporation of third-party social audits can serve as an external means of monitoring sustainability by examining the behaviour of discharges, and addressing environmental impacts.…”

“…Despite the efforts of policymakers to implement policies and regulations throughout the value chain to minimise adverse environmental effects (Kaddoura & El Khatib, 2017; Seroka‐Stolka, 2023), it remains central that the SES for the end‐of‐pipe monitoring of environmental sustainability is developed to facilitate the transformation of TWM (Zhou & Zhou, 2019). As per the suggestions of (Chanani et al, 2022), the incorporation of third‐party social audits can serve as an external means of monitoring sustainability by examining the behaviour of discharges, and addressing environmental impacts.…”

“…The textile sector is economically significant for nations like Bangladesh, as evidenced by the country's contribution of 6.8% of the world's export market for textiles (Bangladesh, 2020). As the world's second‐largest garment exporter after China, textiles play a vital role in the socio‐economic development of Bangladesh—serving as the primary source of foreign currency earnings, and accounting for over 80% of its export earnings (Bangladesh Bank, 2021; Chanani et al, 2022). Nevertheless, policymakers must weigh up the costs of environmental damage to local and regional ecosystems (for example, through toxic wastewater generation) against the economic benefits of textile production (Kehl, 2020; Sakamoto et al, 2019).…”

Prevalence of Economic Exploitation, Education, and Social Relationship of Child Labourer: A Quantitative Study on Barishal City, Bangladesh

“…The implementing authority needs to be educated on the dangers of child labour, the need to punish violators, and the pertinent laws and regulations (Islam & Choe, 2013; Masum, 2002) . Extreme poverty, lack of access to education, rural unemployment issue, lack of opportunity for institutional skill development, and ignorance of the dangers of child work are push factors (Chanani et al, 2022). Child work is encouraged by pull factors such as lower pay, the ability of youngsters to handle situations more easily than adults, etc.…”