Ripped at the Seams: RMG Sector Workers During a Global Pandemic

Abstract

Authors from NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a five-month rapid assessment of COVID-19’s impact on the Ready Made Garments industry (RMG) in Bangladesh and India with funding from the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS). The research presented here highlights the increased risk of forced labor among vulnerable working populations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid assessment addresses descriptive and normative questions about the short- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladesh and India’s RMG industries. Qualitative data collection methods included 19 semi- structured key informant interviews (KIIs) with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and actors across the RMG supply chain. KIIs were informed by a systematic review of recently published media articles, reports, white papers, and other online content. RMG sector stakeholders, including private sector supply chain actors, policy actors, and implementing partners, can use this research to adapt programs and address the multi-faceted challenges facing apparel workers during a global pandemic.

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

“…In the first 6 months of the pandemic in 2020, the impacts of buyer production cancellations and non-payment of completed orders left millions of workers and their families in desperate economic conditions (Anner, 2020). Workers suffered the consequences of buyers' demands for lower production costs by enduring longer working hours, excessive overtime, lower wages, increased cases of harassment and abuse, and unsafe working conditions (Hansen et al, 2021).…”

“…In the first 6 months of the pandemic in 2020, the impacts of buyer production cancellations and non‐payment of completed orders left millions of workers and their families in desperate economic conditions (Anner, 2020). Workers suffered the consequences of buyers' demands for lower production costs by enduring longer working hours, excessive overtime, lower wages, increased cases of harassment and abuse, and unsafe working conditions (Hansen et al, 2021). While global concerns about forced and child labour in the informal garment sector (Bureau of International Labor Affairs [ILAB], 2018) have been longstanding, increased financial insecurity and school closures during the pandemic will likely fuel a further increase in child labour (Idris, 2020; International Labour Organization and United Nations Children's Fund, 2020).…”