THE number of female readymade garment workers taking up employment abroad is on the rise in the recent years. Jordan and Mauritius are their preferred destinations. The propensity among women RMG workers to go overseas and earn more is exposing them to harassment and deprivation, according to findings of the study titled ‘Women Migration as Garment Workers: Human Insecurities: Desire to Safe and Fair Migration with Friendly Working Condition’ revealed at a seminar in the city on Thursday.
A total of 49,404 garment workers have migrated to Jordan since 2010 to 2018 through government channel and out of them 48, 890 were women. The number might be higher, if we take the migrants who went abroad through brokers under consideration. Data showed that most of the respondents who migrated or want to migrate to overseas countries as RMG workers have already migrated to urban centres from rural areas seeking jobs in RMG units.
We have come to know that, female garment workers are moving abroad due to automation in garment factories, absence of living wage and lack of promotion, occupational safety and social safety protection, and desire to earn more. Besides, exploitation, discrimination and abuse are still common ordeals faced by women migrant workers both at home and abroad. The study focused that one of the major sources of exploitation at the pre-departure stage is the illegal practices adopted by the brokers or social networks who channelise women overseas by making false promises of lucrative job opportunities.
No doubt, women’s lack of access to reliable information and source make them easy victims of brokers who trap them into deception and indebtedness. Here, introduction of migration information centre at sub-district level, pro-active role by Bangladesh Labour Attache Consulate in destination countries, database of migrant workers and regular contact with them, and government bilateral arrangement can ensure their rights in destination countries.
When RMG sector is flourishing getting all-out support from the government, at that time the findings of the study is highly worrying for us. Why the women RMG workers would apply to go abroad for a better life? Why we won’t ensure it here? The concerned Ministries and BGMEA must take the issue seriously.
A total of 49,404 garment workers have migrated to Jordan since 2010 to 2018 through government channel and out of them 48, 890 were women. The number might be higher, if we take the migrants who went abroad through brokers under consideration. Data showed that most of the respondents who migrated or want to migrate to overseas countries as RMG workers have already migrated to urban centres from rural areas seeking jobs in RMG units.
We have come to know that, female garment workers are moving abroad due to automation in garment factories, absence of living wage and lack of promotion, occupational safety and social safety protection, and desire to earn more. Besides, exploitation, discrimination and abuse are still common ordeals faced by women migrant workers both at home and abroad. The study focused that one of the major sources of exploitation at the pre-departure stage is the illegal practices adopted by the brokers or social networks who channelise women overseas by making false promises of lucrative job opportunities.
No doubt, women’s lack of access to reliable information and source make them easy victims of brokers who trap them into deception and indebtedness. Here, introduction of migration information centre at sub-district level, pro-active role by Bangladesh Labour Attache Consulate in destination countries, database of migrant workers and regular contact with them, and government bilateral arrangement can ensure their rights in destination countries.
When RMG sector is flourishing getting all-out support from the government, at that time the findings of the study is highly worrying for us. Why the women RMG workers would apply to go abroad for a better life? Why we won’t ensure it here? The concerned Ministries and BGMEA must take the issue seriously.
