The garment sector is leading the way in providing substantial compensation and benefits to its workforce through three key programs, according to Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Executive President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
Speaking at an event titled Awareness Development on Social Protection Scheme and Welfare Facilities for RMG Workers at Fakir Fashion Ltd in Narayanganj, Ehsan emphasised that the industry offers the most comprehensive benefits in areas such as wages, injury compensation, and support for families in the event of a worker’s death.
He shared a notable instance where a worker’s family received an unprecedented Taka 36 lakh in death benefits. “Every life matters to us, and we are dedicated to supporting the families of workers who lose their lives, especially those who were their family’s primary earners,” Ehsan remarked. The compensation fund, sourced from contributions by factory owners, is designed to assist families affected by fatalities and serious injuries.
Md Hafizur Rahman, Chief Textile Officer at Fakir Fashion, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the welfare of its employees, complementing government initiatives with their own support measures. Fakir Fashion Ltd currently employs around 18,000 workers and reported exports totaling US $ 215 million in the fiscal year 2024, with aspirations to reach US $ 256 million in the current year.
BKMEA is also spearheading an awareness campaign that targets 25,000 workers, along with 450 mid-level officials and 450 worker representatives from 30 ready-made garment factories located in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur. The educational programs will cover topics such as the Central Fund, Employment Injury Scheme, and Mother and Child Support Scheme. This effort is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the H&M Foundation.
