RMG sector faces climate, automation threats to millions of livelihoods

Country’s readymade garment (RMG) industry is facing a “double threat” from climate change and rapid technological transformation, with experts and labour representatives calling for stronger social protection, reskilling and social dialogue to safeguard millions of workers.

The warning came at a seminar titled “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation for Inclusive Worker-Centric Just Transition in the Bangladesh Apparel Sector”, organised by Awaj Foundation at a city hotel on Monday.

The event brought together representatives from employers, workers and trade unions, international brands and buyers, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), the government, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), labour rights organisations and other stakeholders.

In her opening remarks, Nazma Akter, General Secretary and Executive Director of Awaj Foundation, stressed the importance of ensuring workers’ voices in decisions affecting their jobs, livelihoods and future.

The keynote paper was presented by Md Shahinur Rahman, Consultant, Worker Rights and Resilience, who examined how climate change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are simultaneously reshaping Bangladesh’s apparel industry.

Rahman presented a case analysis titled “Inclusive Just Transition: Case Analysis and Steps to be Taken”, highlighting the need for a worker-centred approach as factories respond to environmental pressures and technological change.

RMG sector employs more than four million people, the majority of them women, and accounts for more than 80 per cent of the country’s export earnings.

Participants said the scale of the industry means that any major transformation could have significant consequences for employment, household incomes and the wider economy.

The seminar stated that climate change is already affecting garment workers, particularly through extreme heat and flooding.

Research presented at the event indicated that around 48 per cent of garment workers have experienced significant heat stress, while more than 60 per cent of worker families are reportedly facing increased financial pressure because of climate-related disruptions.

A study by Cornell University’s Global Labour Institute has warned that failure to adapt to extreme heat and flooding could cost garment industry $65.8 billion in lost export earnings and put millions of jobs at risk by 2030.

Participants said climate change should therefore be treated not only as an environmental concern but also as a major labour, health, productivity and livelihood issue.

The seminar also examined the impact of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and digitalisation on employment.

Speakers said new technologies could improve productivity, efficiency and environmental performance, while helping Bangladesh maintain its competitiveness in global apparel markets. At the same time, they warned that automation could alter employment patterns and increase pressure on workers, particularly those with fewer skills.

Some estimates discussed at the event suggested that automation and related technologies could reduce the garment-sector workforce by between 33 and 60 per cent.

Participants stressed that technological transformation must therefore be accompanied by comprehensive reskilling and upskilling programmes.

They called for particular attention to women, older workers and less-skilled workers, who could face greater difficulties adapting to changing production systems and new workplace technologies.

A participatory session on “Inclusive Just Transition: Case Analysis and Steps to be Taken” was moderated by Munir Uddin Shamim, Director of Programmes, Research and Learning at Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh.

Representatives of brands and buyers, factory owners, workers, trade unions, the government, ILO, BGMEA, BKMEA and labour rights organisations discussed the practical steps needed to ensure that the transition does not leave workers behind.

Participants said climate-related heat stress and flooding were increasingly affecting workers’ health, productivity, attendance and household incomes. They also examined how automation and digital technologies could affect work pressure, working hours, workplace monitoring and occupational safety.

Social protection and financial security emerged as key concerns during the discussions.

Participants called for stronger income support, employment services, redeployment opportunities and transitional assistance for workers who may lose employment or income because of technological, climate-related or economic changes.

They also highlighted the importance of decent work, occupational safety and health, climate-resilient workplaces and fair and living wages.

Speakers stressed that workers and trade unions must have meaningful participation in decisions concerning technology adoption, climate adaptation, industrial restructuring and skills development.

Stronger social dialogue at national, sectoral and factory levels, they said, would be essential to manage the transition fairly and prevent workers from bearing a disproportionate share of its costs.

Participants also emphasised that a just transition cannot be the responsibility of workers or factory owners alone.

Employers were urged to invest responsibly in technological and environmental improvements while ensuring safe working environments.

Brands and buyers were called upon to adopt responsible purchasing practices, provide realistic delivery timelines and ensure fair pricing so that the costs of industrial transformation do not undermine workers’ wages and protections.

Development partners and financial institutions were also urged to provide financing and technical assistance for climate adaptation, technological upgrading, skills development and worker protection.

The seminar concluded with an open discussion and question-and-answer session, involving participants from different stakeholder groups.

Awaj Foundation said Bangladesh had already made significant progress towards greener production in the garment industry. The next challenge, it said, was to move beyond a “greener garment sector” towards a “greener, fairer and more people-centred garment sector.”