Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector in Bangladesh (RMGP Programme)
- Phase 2: 1 July 2017 - 30 June 2023
- Donors: Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
In response, the ILO Programme on Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector funded by Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom was launched in October 2013. Read more
Safety and health at work during COVID-19: good practices from Bangladesh
Our lives and livelihood have been profoundly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the importance of safety, health and collaboration in the workplace, which ensured protection of the workforce and continuity of economic activities.
Many workplaces with strong occupational safety and health (OSH) cultures and systems in place succeeded in coping with the risks of the pandemic.
Many workplaces with strong occupational safety and health (OSH) cultures and systems in place succeeded in coping with the risks of the pandemic.
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Hygiene facilities
In the fight against COVID-19, it is essential to use face masks, and wash and disinfect hands as often as possible.
Workplaces such as JNM Sweater in Bhaluka installed hand washing and sanitization facilities at the entrance of the factory. Employees and workers got checked with a thermometer while entering into the premises. If the body temperature of an employee was found high, the management asked him/her to get tested for COVID-19.
In the fight against COVID-19, it is essential to use face masks, and wash and disinfect hands as often as possible.
Workplaces such as JNM Sweater in Bhaluka installed hand washing and sanitization facilities at the entrance of the factory. Employees and workers got checked with a thermometer while entering into the premises. If the body temperature of an employee was found high, the management asked him/her to get tested for COVID-19.
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Disinfecting workplaces
Many Bangladeshi enterprises remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic with some restrictions.
Epyllion Style Ltd. in Gazipur ensured physical distancing and conducted regular disinfection of all the floors and machineries to curb the risk of infection among workers and employees
Many Bangladeshi enterprises remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic with some restrictions.
Epyllion Style Ltd. in Gazipur ensured physical distancing and conducted regular disinfection of all the floors and machineries to curb the risk of infection among workers and employees
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Health checkup
A number of workplaces provided in-house medical facilities for workers, while taking precautions such as installing screens between the doctors’ and the patients’ seating areas.
A number of workplaces provided in-house medical facilities for workers, while taking precautions such as installing screens between the doctors’ and the patients’ seating areas.
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Digitalizing wage payment
A worker showing wage payment notification on her phone.
When ready-made garment factories were shut down in the early days of the pandemic and were struggling to pay the workers, Bangladesh government offered a stimulus package and digitalized wage payment. This led to over a million workers receiving their wages through mobile financial service which was usually paid in cash before COVID-19.
A worker showing wage payment notification on her phone.
When ready-made garment factories were shut down in the early days of the pandemic and were struggling to pay the workers, Bangladesh government offered a stimulus package and digitalized wage payment. This led to over a million workers receiving their wages through mobile financial service which was usually paid in cash before COVID-19.
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Access to vaccination
Workers holding up their COVID-19 vaccine card.
In Bangladesh, registration for the COVID-19 vaccine was conducted via an app which required access to smart devices. The government as well as many employers organized registration booths to support disadvantaged people and manual and non-formal workers register for the vaccine. Additionally, some factories provided transport to help their workers reach the vaccination centres safely.
Workers holding up their COVID-19 vaccine card.
In Bangladesh, registration for the COVID-19 vaccine was conducted via an app which required access to smart devices. The government as well as many employers organized registration booths to support disadvantaged people and manual and non-formal workers register for the vaccine. Additionally, some factories provided transport to help their workers reach the vaccination centres safely.
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Care for pregnant and lactating workers
Many pregnant women were hesitant to continue working in factories during the pandemic. Several enterprises provided rest and breastfeeding areas for pregnant and lactating employees who decided to come to work
Many pregnant women were hesitant to continue working in factories during the pandemic. Several enterprises provided rest and breastfeeding areas for pregnant and lactating employees who decided to come to work
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Fight against gender-based violence
COVID-19 has increased the risks of violence and harassment, particularly against women and vulnerable groups.
Momtex Textile Ltd. in Narshingdi organized training and awareness sessions for its management, supervisors and workers’ representative to inform them about prevention of gender-based violence.
COVID-19 has increased the risks of violence and harassment, particularly against women and vulnerable groups.
Momtex Textile Ltd. in Narshingdi organized training and awareness sessions for its management, supervisors and workers’ representative to inform them about prevention of gender-based violence.
© ILO/Naymuzzaman
Publication
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Fact Sheet
RMG Programme Phase II
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Publication
Remediation kit for RMG factories
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Publication
Understanding the gender composition and experience of ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh
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Publication
Gender Roadmap for the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (2020–2030)
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Case Study
Access to remediation finance
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Fact Sheet
Labour inspection management application (LIMA)
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Report
Baseline study - Improving working conditions in the ready-made garment sector programme
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Report
Overview of laws, policies and practices on gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work in Bangladesh
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Reports
DFID annual review
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Fact Sheet
UK-ILO Cooperation - November 2020
Rebuilding lives with decent work
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Labour Inspectorate
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Safety at work
10 tips on workplace safety
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Gender inclusion
Women inspectors reach out to workers on the factory floor
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Remediation
The Remediation Coordination Cell for the Bangladesh garment industry (infographic)
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Playlist
Watch more videos from ILO TV Bangladesh