DHAKA: Most of the workers of readymade garment industry of the country are not members of any labour union, said a recent survey conducted by Democracy International (DI).
DI conducted this survey of RMG workers to have an in-depth understanding on labour issues, formation of labour union and activities, policy aspiration and political participation of garment workers in greater Dhaka and Chittagong.
Fieldwork of this survey was conducted within March 28 to April 6, 2014. Maximum Margin of Error (MoE) is+2.53% with a 95 percent confidence level of the study, says a press release.
The survey was conducted to help by informing to key stakeholders such as political parties, the Bangladeshi government, local and international labour organizations, the media, and NGOs.
The survey explores the issues surrounding RMG workers and captured their opinion and aspirations with the goal of assisting policymakers turn the results from the survey into tangible and responsive public policy.
Some key findings of the survey include that 87% RMG workers are not members of any labour union though 82% of respondents consider forming labor unions effective or very effective at solving workers’ problems.
74% think that asking BGMEA and the factory owners for help is effective or highly effective to solve workers’ problems.
By using multi-stage random sampling technique the survey interviewed a total of 1,508 workers and also found that on average, RMG workers work 10.09 hours a day when their average take home salary is Tk 7,341 per month and 82% of respondents consider “safe working conditions” prevalent or very prevalent in their factories.
“Democracy International is delighted to continue to support the growth of an empirical public opinion research culture in Bangladesh,” said David Dettman, Chief of Party for Democracy International’s Democratic Participation and Reform in Bangladesh program.
“The garment sector is critical for Bangladesh’s economic future and understanding worker’s perspectives can help all stakeholders improve their working conditions,” he added.
The survey was conducted as an activity of the Democratic Participation and Reform (DPR).
DI has been implementing DPR, a five-year political parties program funded jointly by USAID and UK aid, for more than two years with three objectives--enhance grassroots participation in political parties with a focus on women and young people, improve information access and utilization by political actors through research, improve the environment for responsive politics.
BDST: 2020 HRS, MAY 4, 2014
