Recent Unrest in the RMG Sector of Bangladesh: Is this an Outcome of Poor Labour Practices?

Abstract

The RMG sector of Bangladesh has experienced disputes and violent protest by the workers in recent times. This study explores the reasons for recent unrest in the garment sector. Since managers are mainly responsible for applying human resource practices, this paper has given particular attention to their views on recent attitude changes of workers. Results show that mutual understanding among workers and managers is absent in the RMG sector. This study also states that high-work load, poor behaviour of line managers, low skills and low wage rates are the notable reasons for high job turnover and social unrest. Poor relationship between workers and supervisors is the main source of conflict. This study finds that there is growing demand for work life balance among the workers of RMG sector.

Can HRM Practices Improve Job Satisfaction of Ready Made Garment (RMG) Workers in Bangladesh? An Alternative Solution to Recent Unrest

“…This sector became important in terms of generating employment, foreign exchange earnings and its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Ahamed, 2014). This industry started its journey in the late 1970s, expanded heavily in the 1980s and boomed in the 1990s (Hossan, et al, 2012a, Robbani, 2000. The quick expansion of RMG was possible because of less complicated technology (easy to transfer), cheap machineries, large number of unemployed and poor female workers and comparatively cheap labor cost (Robbani, 2000).…”

“…Besides that poor working conditions and work practices (like irregular pay) in the factories and a lack of social compliance are serious concerns in RMG sector, as these lead to frequent labor unrest (Hossan, et al, 2012a;Muqtada et al, 2002).…”

“…Ready Made Garment (RMG) is one of the successful manufacturing sectors with greater contribution to the national economy of Bangladesh (Hossan, et al, 2012a;Chowdhury, et al, 2006). RMG is the main source of www.ccsenet.org/ijbm International Journal of Business and Management Vol.…”

“…RMG is the main source of export for the last 25 years, and this sector employs more than 3 billion people in Bangladesh of whom 90% are poor and underprivileged women (Ahamed, 2014). However, job satisfaction of RMG workers in Bangladesh are decreasing at present time due to improper work practices that include insufficient salary, discrimination, unhealthy work environment, frequent work accidents and hazards (Aslam et al, 2011;Adbin, 2008;Berik & Rodger, 2008;Hossan et al, 2012a;Hossan et al, 2012b). As a result, dissatisfied RMG workers in Bangladesh are creating unrest and raising voice in recent time.…”

“…Ready Made Garment (RMG) is one of the successful manufacturing sectors with greater contribution to the national economy of Bangladesh (Hossan et al, 2012a;Chowdhury, et al, 2006). RMG is the main source of export for the last 25 years, and this sector employs more than 3 billion people in Bangladesh of whom 90% are poor and underprivileged women (Ahamed, 2014).…”