The share of women in Bangladesh’s garment industry has fallen to 53 per cent in 2023, down from 56 per cent in 2014, according to a recent study. The study highlighted a rise in female workers in home textile and woven industries but reported significant declines in jacket manufacturing.
Once dominating over 80 per cent of the garment workforce during the industry’s early days, women’s participation has steadily dropped. Many are now reluctant to take on labour-intensive factory jobs, contributing to this trend.
The findings, presented at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies’ (BIDS) annual development conference in Dhaka, reveal further notable changes in the employment patterns within the country’s primary export sector.
A declining interest among second-generation workers in garment-sector jobs has further reduced workforce numbers. The shift towards mechanisation has played a key role in this decline, with roles such as machine operators becoming obsolete. While factory supervisors and management positions remain largely unaffected, automation has significantly reduced the demand for labour in production lines.
For every $1 million invested in new equipment, an average of 2.15 to 4.13 workers reportedly lose their jobs. While automation displaces many roles, it also creates new opportunities, particularly in highly-skilled areas.
A separate study from BIDS also recorded a drop in female participation across the broader manufacturing sector. This includes fewer women in leadership roles, partly due to their exit from the garment industry.
The report noted that stagnant real wages and generational shifts have also influenced workforce trends. While collective bargaining has improved wages and benefits, factory-level trade unions often lack the power to drive significant changes. However, unionisation has empowered women to take a more active role in family decision-making.
