AT a recent seminar Prof Rehman Sobhan lamented that although we have engaged in extensive discussion about the garment industry and it has also developed considerably over the last 20 years, there has been no commensurate improvement in the lot of women workers in the sector. Even after the withdrawal of “quota system” under the MFA, which had provided a sheltered market for us, the industry as a whole has progressed signifying its resilience and inner strength. But the women have reaped little benefit out of the sector's growth and development.

A sample survey recently carried out amongst 87 workers in 41 factories, out of whom 55 were female, revealed some interesting statistics. Only 25 percent of the women were given formal appointment letters. Less than 50 percent of women workers were granted maternity leave with pay.

We find the problems faced by our women garment employees simply appalling. The truth is our garment industry remains weighed down by various drawbacks in management practices. It is high time that both the owners and the industry's apex body BGMEA put their heads together and attend to the problems of the women workers in particular having regard to the huge contribution made by them to the industry and consequent export earnings.

Let us not forget that these very workers serve as a window of excellence in building our image abroad, particularly amongst the various developed countries who buy our RMG products.

One of the major problems that continue to haunt the industry has been the labour unrest stemming from poor and unfair treatment of the workers, more so, the women workers. The provisions for minimum wage and job security still remain elusive for workers in a number of garment factories. Their compliance with tripartite agreement will have to be secured by the government.