Impact of Wages and Social Compliance on Employee Job Satisfaction in the Readymade Garments Industry of Bangladesh: The Mediating Role of Employee Motivation

Abstract

Despite rapid expansion, the ready-made garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh is struggling to keep its workers satisfied. The purpose of this research is to examine the intermediary function of employee motivation in the relationship between wages and social compliance and job satisfaction in Bangladesh’s RMG sector. This study’s overarching goal is to examine the mediating function of employee motivation in the connection between wages, social compliance, employee motivation, and employee job satisfaction in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. This study uses a quantitative methodology, collecting data from 475 workers in the Bangladeshi garments sector, and analyzes it with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and SmartPLS 4.0 was used for statistical analysis. The results show that wages and social compliance have a beneficial influence on worker drive and contentment. In addition, in the RMG sector of Bangladesh, the connection between pay, societal conformity, and job satisfaction is mediated by employees’ levels of motivation. The study suggests that RMG factories should focus on providing fair wages and ensuring social compliance to improve employee motivation and job satisfaction. Additionally, it is recommended that management should encourage employee motivation through training and development programs, recognition, and rewards to enhance job satisfaction.