A roundtable discussion titled “Social Protection for RMG Workers in Bangladesh” was organised by UNCDF. The occasion centred on the pressing need for all-encompassing social protection systems for the nation’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry, which employs more than 4 million people and makes a substantial economic contribution.
UNCDF’s Sakshi Chadha gave a summary of the Oporajita program, which supports women who work in the apparel industry. She underlined how critical it is to address workers’ health risks and economic fragility. The H&M Foundation’s Fernanda Drumond emphasised initiatives to give women the tools and resources they need to adapt to a changing labour market.
Participants talked about current social protection programs, such as health insurance and retirement plans, but they also pointed out that workers’ awareness of these programs is seriously lacking. UNCDF’s Shariful Islam Chowdhury emphasised the difficulties in obtaining the assistance that is available as well as the necessity of long-term solutions that streamline and digitise procedures.
In order to provide long-term benefits for employees throughout the business, important ideas surfaced, including raising knowledge of various plans, including a universal pension system, and creating a centralised social protection fund.
At the end of the roundtable, stakeholders were urged to work together to enhance the welfare of RMG employees in Bangladesh.
