Emphasise training to increase RMG women workers BKMEA
Recalling the contribution of women workers in the readymade garment industry on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has emphasized on developing their skills and ensuring equal opportunities in the workplace.
In a statement sent to the media on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Saturday, the organization’s president Mohammad Hatem said that the contribution of women in the country’s ready-made garment industry is very important. BKMEA is committed to developing the skills of women workers, ensuring a safe working environment and equal opportunities in the workplace.
He said that women’s empowerment and their more active participation in the workplace will play an important role in ensuring sustainable economic growth of the country.
The statement said that at one time, the participation of women workers in the country’s RMG industry was about 75 percent. However, this rate has decreased slightly in recent times. The arrival of new technology in the industry is considered to be a major reason for this, since many women workers have not yet been able to fully adapt to new technologies.
In addition, it was also mentioned that some women workers working in the ready-made garment sector have returned to their villages with the money they saved during their working lives and started small businesses.
The statement also said that the participation of women workers in the new automated factories is relatively low. As a result, the overall participation rate of women in the industry has decreased somewhat.
However, the BKMEA President said that there are various training facilities in the industry to adapt women workers to new technologies.
He said that under the government’s Industrial Competitiveness and Innovation Program – Industrial Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP), a total of 2,140 workers have been trained in BKMEA member factories and independent training centers. Of these, about 90 percent are women workers.
He expressed hope that if the government provides more support in the training program, the adaptation of workers to new technologies will increase and women’s participation in the ready-made garment industry will increase again.
