Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garments Sector

This multi-donor project aims to improve the health and safety conditions in approximately 2 000 export-oriented garment factories in Bangladesh and increase the ability of government and non-governmental institutions to protect the health and safety of factory workers. Designed in response to industrial accidents in the garment sector (factory fires in 2012 and the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 2013) the project takes a coordinated approach to addressing the serious challenges facing Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry and to securing lasting improvements in garment factory working conditions. The project focuses particular attention on women who constitute 80% of the garment sector workforce and on disabled groups. It benefits all stakeholders connected to the sector including workers workers’ organizations employers’ organizations and government agencies as well as suppliers buyers and clothing companies. The project includes: (i) providing technical support to conduct preliminary fire safety and structural assessments of garment factory buildings; (ii) providing rehabilitation and skills training for the survivors of the recent tragedies; (iii) providing training and education in occupational health and safety for garment factory workers supervisors and managers; (iv) strengthening the government’s factory inspection systems; and (v) implementing a Better Work Program in Bangladesh to improve garment sector compliance with international labour standards and competitiveness in global markets.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (i) improved and better coordinated action to ensure building and fire safety and the rehabilitation of injured and disabled survivors with particular attention to the needs of women; and (ii) significantly improved legislation capacity and implementation in the regulation of working conditions for women men and the disabled initially in the ready-made garment sector but with potential to expand to all sectors in a manner that safeguards the rights of all workers.