Law to Combat Harassment in Bangladesh RMG Industry

Abstract

In 2014, the apparel sector employed approximately 60 to 75 million people worldwide. It is a significant, expanding sector driven by powerful retailers and marketers. Women account for at least three-quarters of all garment workers worldwide, making the garment industry a significant source of formal employment for women. Workplace harassment against both men and women is a widespread problem that affects all industries and occupations. It is especially prevalent in the garment industry, where many women work in lower-paying, lower-power positions. Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry plays a major role in the global apparel industry, ranking as the world’s second-largest supplier of ready-made garments. The industry employs over 4 million people, with 80 percent of them being women. Harassment is prevalent in the RMG sector for all workers, with female workers specifically encountering sexual harassment due to their gender. The article will concentrate on the underlying causes of harassment and evaluate the adequacy of labour and national laws, exploring gaps in both legislation and their implementation. It will also provide recommendations for amending existing laws and enacting new legislation to enhance the safety and security of female workers in factory environments.