Empowering Women Garment Workers in Bangladesh: Skilling for Future Opportunities in the Face of Automation

Project Oporajita

Intellecap’s Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) are proud to be a partner to ‘Oporajita: Collective Impact on Future of Work in Bangladesh’, supported by H&M Foundation.

Multiple partners have joined forces on a common vision – aiming to equip women garment workers in #Bangladesh for a future defined by #automation. By working with the collective impact approach, the partners aim to holistically address challenges to women’s future employment opportunities – and achieve transformative change for the Ready-Made-Garments (#RMG) industry and the people working within it.

CAIF in collaboration with multiple partners as part of Project Oporajita , have been implementing interventions across the last 3 years that directly impact women garments workers on developing skilling and career mobility, creating enabling environments in their communities and safeguarding livelihoods through increasing the competitiveness of the RMG sector.

Context

Bangladesh proudly secures its status as the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments (RMG) worldwide, with only China ahead. The country is celebrated for its outstanding capability to produce high-quality, affordable apparel for esteemed international brands like H&M, Zara, PVH, Target, and Walmart. Bangladesh RMG sector specializes in the mass production of knitwear and woven garments, effectively targeting export markets in Europe, the United States, and Canada. It accounts for an impressive 85% of Bangladesh’s total export revenue, surpassing $45 billion annually and firmly establishing its crucial role in global trade.

According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the RMG sector contributes approximately 12-13% to the nation’s GDP, making it an indispensable pillar of Bangladesh’s economic framework. With over 4 million workers, predominantly women, the industry played a pivotal role in economically empowering women, promoting gender equality, and driving social transformation. The profound impact of women’s economic empowerment positively influences various aspects of their lives and livelihoods.

Moreover, the RMG sector has attracted substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) and catalyzed the growth of allied industries, including textiles, dyes, packaging, and logistics. Bangladesh stands out as a recognized hub for comprehensive value chain activities, such as spinning, weaving, and dyeing. In the fiscal year 2022–23, the knitwear sector contributed 5.67% to the country’s GDP while representing 46.34% of national exports.

The remarkable growth of this sector has not only enhanced infrastructure and improved living standards in urban areas but has also played a crucial role in poverty alleviation through extensive job creation. While the industry faces challenges, such as compliance with labor laws and ensuring worker safety to building the capacity of workers for the fourth industrial revolution— it is proactively embracing sustainability practices to meet the growing global demand for eco-friendly apparel. Additionally, investments in automation and skill development further strengthen its productivity and competitive edge in the global market.

Challenges

The Bangladeshi RMG industry flourished initially due to the availability of abundant low-cost labor. However, in the current competitive global market, relying solely on low-cost labor is no longer sufficient. The rapid digitization and automation of the garment industry are displacing women garment workers (WGWs) at an alarming rate. This necessitates upskilling and reskilling initiatives for WGWs. The need for such interventions is further emphasized by the early retirement phenomenon prevalent in the sector, with many women leaving the industry by the age of 35 and often resorting to low-paying informal jobs.

Solutions

Oporajita: The collective impact on the future of work aims to improve employability and job prospects for out-of-work women garment workers (WGWs) through improved job-specific skills development and micro-entrepreneurship. Empowering women workers with transferable skills is a critical strategy for enhancing their employability while fostering economic resilience and promoting gender equity. This multifaceted approach equips women with the necessary tools to succeed in the modern job market and creates pathways for sustainable livelihoods in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

Out-of-work WGWs represent a valuable pool of potential workers within the community. These individuals typically possess at least a minimum level of formal education alongside relevant work experience. It is essential to tap into this resource by leveraging their existing knowledge and skills while also introducing them to the principles of a circular economy. This approach focuses on sustainability and resource efficiency, which is increasingly essential in today’s job market.

However, mobilizing out-of-work WGWs poses significant challenges, primarily due to their high mobility following job loss. Many women in this group may quickly seek alternative employment or relocate, making engaging them in training programs or workshops challenging. One effective strategy to overcome this challenge is cultivating strong relationships with local SMEs. By collaborating with these businesses, we can gain insight into the regional economic context and better identify potential program participants. Moreover, this relationship allows for a tailored approach—mobilized women can choose their trades based on the availability of relevant SMEs in their locality. This ensures that the skills they acquire are directly aligned with the needs of local employers.

Once the training programs are completed, facilitating job placements becomes significantly easier. A previous record of local SMEs and their potential job vacancies can effectively guide the placement process, connecting trained WGWs with employment opportunities that match their newly acquired skills. This not only helps women reintegrate into the workforce but also supports the local economy by meeting the labour demands of SMEs. Through these efforts, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable economic framework that benefits women and the community.

In today’s landscape, many women are eager to engage in training programs that empower them to become financially independent. Addressing this need, the project set a goal to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for out-of-work women garment workers through circular micro-entrepreneurship models. In collaboration with iDE’s we focus on developing micro-entrepreneurs by helping them adopt circular business models within their income-generating activities. This approach promotes sustainable practices and enhances their overall business viability. Our capacity-building initiative consists of a comprehensive curriculum blending theory and practical application. During the training, participants will learn about various aspects of business management, sustainable practices, and the circular economy. We provide hands-on experiences that allow women micro-entrepreneurs to experiment with different strategies and tailor them to their business needs. This supportive environment encourages them to evaluate which model aligns best with their goals and resources, ultimately fostering self-reliance and economic empowerment.

Impact and Success Stories

The project’s overall goal is to ensure that women garment workers have enhanced employability and that their livelihoods are safeguarded from the impact of automation and digitalisation in the textile industry. To achieve this goal, ecosystem mapping was one of the main priorities where classification of 30 circular job roles outlined in the ecosystem mapping report, we carefully identified and selected 10 roles that exhibited high potential and significant demand within the job market for targeted skill training.

These 10 selected job roles were chosen based on their relevance to emerging trends in the workforce and their potential to provide meaningful employment opportunities. As part of our initiative, we actively engaged with 1,500 out-of-work workers, specifically focusing on those seeking reskilling and certification in these high-demand roles. This outreach aimed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and qualifications to enhance their employability and successfully transition into the circular economy, where we supported 60% of trainees getting decent job placement. The following charts and case stories show the frequency based on the job roles and the qualitative outcome of the intervention, respectively.

The Oporajtia evaluation report comes up with such solid evidence that are supplement the immediate outcomes of the project. The evaluation report reveals that 32.9% increase in mean income from 7,591 BDT before training to 10,085 BDT after training and at the same time 95.9% of job-placed trainees saw an increase in household income. In the aspects of social and gender outcome 81.6% of job-placed trainees reported improved mobility outside the home, contributing to greater autonomy and respect within their communities

From the six income-generating sectors identified by iDE, we classified three as having the most significant potential for circularity training, where numerous opportunities exist to adopt the principles of circular aspects. Mushrooms, poultry, and livestock are the areas in which we conduct training with 223 women. The following chart and case study illustrate the impact of our work.

Based on the evaluation outcome it reveals that 54.9% increase in monthly business revenue from 9,247.79 BDT to 14,328.29 BDT form the circular micro-entrepreneurship. Furthermore 87.0% of entrepreneurs reported increased income after training and 71.4% experienced improved mobility outside the home, contributing to greater social independence.

Lessons Learned and Key Insights

The initiative has underscored the success of the WBT model, the necessity of post-placement support, the integration of theory with practice, and the importance of fostering suitable learning environments. These lessons offer practical guidance for future efforts to empower women in this sector while promoting sustainability and inclusivity.

Sustained livelihood through post-placement tracking: This approach ensures that trainees secure meaningful employment and are equipped to sustain their roles over time. The placement opportunity helps them find a new meaning in their life while finding no hope after job placement.
Combining theory with practice in training delivery: A balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application has proven essential for effective learning and long-term skill retention. This integration strengthens training outcomes across all delivery methods.
Preparation of training venues for optimal learning: To maximize the effectiveness of training sessions, venue readiness and suitability have been prioritized. A systematic process, including developing a training centre checklist, ensures that chosen venues support trainee engagement and create an optimal learning environment.
Blended training approaches harvest the best results: There are two training models we practised. One is classroom-based, and another is workplace-based. This blended approach ensures a comprehensive learning experience, blending theory with practical application for maximum impact.

Expanding the Program

The pressing reality is that over 60% of the RMG (Ready-Made Garment) workforce may face unemployment by 2041. This situation poses significant risks for social stability and economic security. In light of these projections, the reintegration of women into the workforce becomes imperative for ensuring their economic safety and sustaining their livelihoods.

To effectively address this challenge, it is essential to identify and develop emerging sectors where women can find employment and leverage their skills to innovate and enhance other sectors. By focusing on industries that adopt circular economy principles—where resources are reused, recycled, and reintegrated into the production process—we can create exceptional opportunities for women. These sectors promote sustainability and offer greater job security and stability.
Our ambitious objective is to reach and reskill at least 30,000 women over the next three years, guiding them into new, circular job roles that align with the evolving job market. This reskilling initiative will give them the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in these emerging positions, fostering a more resilient economy.

Additionally, it is critical to acknowledge that exploring diverse sectors is key to successful job placements. Mapping these new sectors is an ongoing endeavour, with a concerted focus on identifying and promoting circular job roles as a primary goal. However, we also recognize that existing job roles may not fit within a circular framework. We can transform them into circular roles by strategically adding value to these positions and integrating sustainable practices.

Through these efforts, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable workforce that empowers women and enhances economic growth, ensuring a brighter future for all.

Policy Recommendations

The decline in RMG workers presents a critical challenge that industry leaders must confront with urgency and strategic foresight. This sector is uniquely positioned to empower women, allowing them to earn a sustainable income even with limited skills. Currently, approximately 60% of women participate in the workforce. However, with the development and implementation of comprehensive skills training programs, we can boost this figure to as high as 80%.
To achieve this, it is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of the industry’s future needs, which will require engaging with industry stakeholders, conducting market research, and analyzing trends in consumer demand. Based on these findings, targeted training solutions must be designed to equip women with relevant skills that align with these emerging demands. It is also essential to establish a safe and supportive working environment for female workers, addressing issues such as workplace harassment, inadequate facilities, and job insecurity. This commitment to creating a safe workplace is not just a moral obligation; it will enhance productivity and retention rates among female employees.
Sector leaders and industry owners are essential in championing initiatives to achieve gender equality goals. By actively promoting and investing in these programs, they can significantly influence the industry’s landscape and foster a culture of inclusivity and respect.

Furthermore, to encourage the participation of highly skilled women, it is crucial to provide more significant incentives, such as competitive salaries, benefits, and career advancement opportunities. This approach will motivate women to develop their skills and help bridge the gender gap in leadership positions within the industry.

Investing in SMEs at the forefront of promoting circular job roles is vital. These SMEs play a key role in the economy and are often more agile and innovative in their approaches to workforce development. Supporting their efforts in reskilling initiatives and sustainable practices will contribute to the overall resilience of the RMG sector.

By implementing these comprehensive strategies, we can drive meaningful transformation within the RMG industry, enhancing both the economic prospects for women and contributing to the broader socio-economic development of the country. We can create a thriving, inclusive workforce that benefits everyone involved.

Sustaining Impact

The intervention outlined in this project is designed to empower out-of-work WGWs in Bangladesh, a sector characterized by its informal nature and notably low job security. Recognizing these women’s unique challenges, we are committed to providing them with reskilling opportunities and integrating SMEs into our strategy to ensure sustainable impact.

To effectively build the agency of these women, we will introduce comprehensive programs focused on leadership development, enabling them to take charge of their careers and advocate for their rights within the workplace. Additionally, we will implement safeguarding measures to protect them from exploitation and ensure a secure work environment, further enhancing their sense of stability and confidence.
Crucial to the success of our intervention is the provision of continuous support post-job placement. We will establish a robust system for post-placement tracking, monitoring each participant’s progress for at least six months. This will include regular check-ins and on-the-job assistance to facilitate smooth reintegration into the workforce. Our goal is to create a supportive ecosystem that addresses immediate employment needs and fosters long-term success and empowerment for these women in the garment industry.

Microentrepreneurs who have completed their training in circular business models face challenges in fully adopting these principles. Many expressed a strong commitment during the training to invest in sustainable practices such as installing solar panels, establishing vermicomposting facilities, and improving the quality of their final products. However, they require access to financial support and targeted skill development to bring these ambitious projects to completion.

In the upcoming phase, we will roll out initiatives specifically designed to guide these entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of adoption. We will provide tailored workshops and resources to help them understand the practical steps in integrating these sustainable practices into their businesses. Furthermore, we will assist them in identifying potential funding sources and building the necessary skills to enhance their operations, ultimately fostering a culture of sustainability and resilience within their enterprises. This approach will empower them to implement circular business models and contribute to their long-term success and environmental stewardship.