Question

In the last 15 years, Bangladesh has seen rapid industrial development and export growth, mostly in the garment industry. According to the readings and class notes, (a) working conditions, industrial accidents and wages are among the worst in Asia. Discuss. (b) Nevertheless, social conditions mostly exceed those in the rest of South Asia and have improved dramatically over the years, in large part because of NGOs. Discuss.

Answer 1

Introduction:-

Over the years, many countries across the globe have opened their doors to economic liberalization and globalization and since then, have been able to achieve a stable growth rate and increase the overall standards of living among people.

South East Asia, primarily comprising countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. have largely gained from the effect globalization has had, and the low cost availability of skilled labor which has made them one of the key exporters of outsourcing as an industry.

Manufacturing among most industries in these countries has become and some industries such as BPO's in terms of their costs and efficiencies has even exceeded the Western developed countries in their overall approach.

Bangladesh was earlier a part of East Pakistan and gained independence from Pakistan later in 1980's. As such, the country has since then evolved and is growing steadily thanks to its contribution towards the garment industry of which the country is a key exporter internationally.

Case Specifics:-

(a) Working conditions, industrial accidents and wages are among the worst in Asia. Discuss.

Agreeably, the growth of Bangladesh has been because of many industry including the garment industry, however it has largely been criticized for the practices of labor which have been followed as a standard.

Women are more than often, not offered equal wages for the kind of work done. Further, the problem of child labor is rampant in the country which needs a check. Wages are often delayed and companies work under shell names which may close any time and open at a new location creating job insecurity among workers. Wages in itself tend to be extremely low when compared to developed nations.

Further, working conditions tend to be extremely harsh on the employees especially those which are engaged in handwork involving glass which requires constant concentration. The workers are cramped up in small areas with very less air flow and have long working hours.

Further, employment standards such as fire safety which are expected in most industrial setups across the globe are often missing in Bangladesh. The prime example of these are regular fires which break out in garment factories and the disaster of 2013 which led to the death of over a thousand people in a day.

(b) Nevertheless, social conditions mostly exceed those in the rest of South Asia and have improved dramatically over the years, in large part because of NGOs. Discuss.

That said, the country has made significant progress when compared to other countries such as Pakistan and has continued to evolve the industry with government and NGO's stepping up and creating laws to ensure employee welfare and safety is taken care off in a proper manner.

Laws such as registration of workers and abolishment of child labor are rapidly evolving in the nation due to which the sector has gained popularity as an employment option in the country.

Like other countries where industrial revolution happened, the mindsets of the producers of garment factories is also changing. This is a resultant of factors such as increased government regulation, NGO awareness and a general change in the nature of the industrialists which have begun to realize the importance of Humans as a resource of the organization.

Conclusion:-

One can suitably conclude by saying thus, that the garment industry of the nation is as such at a very nascent stage right now and has faced tough challenges and international criticism because of factors such as child labor, low wages and working condition issues. That said however, the industry is fast evolving and has continued to grow economically also.

Please feel free to ask your doubts in the comments section.