Term Paper

ON

Socio economic conditions of readymade garment workersan empirical study in Chittagong city.
Course Title : International Business
Spring Semester 2015

By

Md.Nur Hossain Palash

Batch 21 th
ID# 3-11-21-080
Submitted to

Professor Dr.Altaf Jalil

Department of Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka
Date of Submission 25 April,2015

Letter of Transmittal
25.04.2015
To
Prof.Dr.Altaf Jalil
Department of Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka
Subject: Submission of TERM PAPER
Sir,
I am pleased to submit the following term paper on Socio economic conditions
of readymade garment workers-an empirical study in Chittagong city.After
studying International Business, in your reputed University, I came to know
and learn many information and data about the above subjects.
It was a great privilege and pleasure to be assigned with such an assignment. By
doing this I can say without any doubt that gave a lot that will certainly guide me
and pave the way to my journey.
This assignment was prepared under your constant care and strong leadership and
I respectfully acknowledge your guidance and help. But there might be some errors
and mistakes and points due to limitations of my knowledge in preparing this
report.
I hope that you will consider this short comings favorably.
Yours faithfully,
Md.Nur Hossain Palash
21 th Batch
ID # 3-11-21-080

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my vote of thanks to Prof. Dr.Altaf Jalil, course teacher of International
Business,Department of Management, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, for
giving me this great opportunity of doing a wonderful term paper

on Socio economic

conditions of female readymade garments workers in Bangladesh-an empirical study in

Chittagong city. His timely guidance and suggestions have helped me a lot during the course of
my project. Due to his helping hands, I have completed my term paper.
I would also like to express my vote of thanks to my classmates, seniors who have also helped
and guided me out to the full extent in regards to the data collection for my term paper.

ABSTRACT
The Garments industries have been very important sector in the economy of Bangladesh. About
five million workers directly involved in this sector. Our economy has been growing due to their
hard and quality labor. Development of garments sector is a must in term of economic
development that cannot be possible without developing the socio economic conditions of these
workers. Though manifold measures have been emphasized and implemented by the respective
bodies for garment sector development, we do not pay enough time for the betterment of life
style of the garment workers whose contribution plays a key role in it. This article is an endeavor
to depict the socio economic conditions of the workers. The analysis is based on the survey of
100 workers of different readymade garment situated in Chittagong city. The prime conclusion of
this study is that the standard of living of the garment workers is still in precarious conditions
and they are not free from the vicious circle of poverty and face extreme difficulties in obtaining
their basic needs for survival even. Though there exist some sort of indications for satisfactory
matters, it derives from thinking as they may be unemployed and lack of alternative jobs. The
article has recommended the garment sector to develop the prevailing socio economic facilities
to a great extent to achieve workers satisfaction at the maximum level.

LISTS OF TABLES

Table no 1

Distribution based on age

Table no 2

Distribution based on Sex

Table no 3

Distribution based on marital status

Table no 4

Distribution based on family member

Table no 5

Distribution based on earning family member

Table no 6

Distribution based on education level

Table no 7

Distribution on duration of job experience

Table no 8

Distribution based on daily working hours

Table no 9

Distribution based on monthly overtime work hours

Table no 10

Distribution based on casual leaves

Table no 11

Distribution based on monthly accommodation expenses

Table no 12

Distribution based on workers turnover.

Table no 13

Distribution based on nature of harassment/torture.

Table no 14

Distribution based on job environment.

Table no 15

Distribution based on Application of labor laws.

Table no 16

Distribution on facilities of labor union.

Table no 17

Distribution based on causes on labor unrest

Table no 18

Distribution based on mode of payment of salaries.

Table no 19

Distribution based on basic salary structure.

Table no 20

Distribution based on total salary per month.

Table no 21

Distribution on timings for payment of wages

Table no 22

Distribution based on mode of bonus payments

Table no 23

Distribution based on medical allowance system

Table no 24

Distribution based on maternity leave

Table no 25

Distribution on amount of savings.

Table no 26

Distribution based on transport facilities.

Table no 27

Distribution based on satisfaction towards earning.

Table no 28

Distribution based on overall satisfaction toward overall job.

LISTS OF FIFURES

Fig.1

Distribution based on age

Fig.2

Distribution based on sex

Fig.3
Fig.4
Fig.5

Distribution based on martial status

Distribution based on family member
Distribution based on educational level

Fig 6-7

Distribution based daily and monthly working hours

Fig.8

Distribution on monthly accommodation expenses.

Fig 9

Distribution based on nature of harassment/torture

Fig.10

Distribution based on job environment

Fig.11-12

Distribution based on basic and overall monthly salary

Fig.13

Distribution based on mode of bonus payments

Fig.14

Distribution based on maternity leave.

Fig.15

Distribution based on monthly savings

Fig.16

Distribution based on earning satisfaction

Fig.17

Distribution based on overall job satisfaction

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1. 1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Bangladesh is a developing country .She is the 8 th populated country of the world. Half of this
huge population is female involving in many jobs and services .A big portion is working in
readymade garments sector.RMG is the prime sector of foreign earning of Bangladesh. There are
almost six thousand garments companies operating in Bangladesh. At present about five million
people are working here and almost 80% of them is female. So development process vastly
depends on RMG workers. Their contribution is undeniable. About 80% of foreign income
earned by exporting comes from RMG sectors especially by dint of workers. So we must know
about them so that we can accelerate development of them. So in my study under the supervision
Prof. Dr. Faruq Ahmed, University of Dhaka, I try to represent the present socio economic
condition of worker of RMG sector.
1.2 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
At the very beginning of 1980s, Bangladesh experienced the establishment of various industries
including garment sector due to cheap labor of Bangladesh. These garments industries have been
playing very important role in developing Bangladesh .They have been the back bone to our
economy. A number of workers are working in RMG sector. They have been contributing
tremendously to our economy development. With the laborious effort of the garment workers,
this industry has achieved immense expansion but they are facing many socio economic
problems. These problems must be identified so that we can aid them solving these problems.
The reasons of these problems can be identified by conducting research. In this regard, my
proposed research will be useful not only to identify the problems from socio economic
conditions but also to conduct future research on this topic. This is the rational of my study.
41.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are
exploring the socio economic conditions of the readymade garment (RMG) workers.

 recommending measures to be taken for the development of the socio economic

condition of them.
1.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
It was really very difficult to find out every single issue within this limited period of time.
Overally the the limitations those have been faced are:
Time Frame.
Access to more internal information.
It was really difficult to accumulate confidential financial data.
The respondents havent enough time to involve long conversation.
Tendency shown to conceal their sensitive information.
Fabricated data provided by the respondents can distort the study results.
Lack of previous reports on this topic.

CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 POPULATION PARAMETER
Population of this study is about 5 million readymade garment workers working in about 6000
factories in Bangladesh.
2.2 RESEARCH DESIGN
This research would be using the non-probability convenience sampling and based on
questionnaire survey.
2.3 SAMPLE DESIGN
2.3.1 Sample Type
The universe for this survey comprised of the workers in different ranks working in RMG sector
irrespective of sex, age, martial and religious status, ranks in garment factories etc.
2.3.2 Sample Technique
The technique adopted for sampling:
Convenient and purposive
Non probability random sampling
2.3.3 Sample Size
The size of sample was 100 which were drawn from different RMG factories situated at different
areas in Chittagong city .
2.4 SOURCES OF DATA
Both primary and secondary data sources were used to generate this report.
Primary Data: The primary information collected directly from the samples through face to face
interview.
Secondary Data: The secondary information collected from website, magazine, journals, books
and some other relevant sources.
2.5 QUESTIONNAIRE
A questionnaire is an important tool in public opinion research. If it is possible to get a
representative number of people to answer the same question or questions then one can make a

judgment of what most people think. This information can be used to plot trends and changes in
public perception.
The questionnaire (also called survey) is a set of questions given to a sample of people. The
purpose is to gather information about the peoples attitudes, thoughts, behaviours, and so forth.
The researchers compile the answers of the people in the sample in order to know how the group
as a whole thinks or behaves.
A self structured questionnaire was prepared for the study to collect primary data considering the
objectives of the study. Questionnaires consisting of several relevant questions were given to the
RMG workers visiting personally them at their living and work places in Chittagong city. The
respondents were personally questioned and the questionnaires were filled by the interviewer
based on the responses of the respondents.
2.6 DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS
After collecting, the data have been processed and analysed in the following ways:
Editing: The data have been checked if they are correct or related with the study.
Classification: The data have been classified into different classes.
Analysis: The data have been analysed through simple statistical techniques like
frequency distribution (with percentage) etc.
Presentation: The data are presented through tables, graphs etc.

CHAPTER 3
STUDY RESULTS AND FINDINGS
3.1 FINDINGS
I have done a questionnaire survey with 100 workers of different readymade garment (RMG)
industry situated in Chittagong city to represent the socio economic condition of the workers of
readymade garments industry which includes different aspects of the present socio economic
conditions of RMG workers. In my questionnaire I include several questions to find out the
present socio economic conditions of RMG workers.
Distribution based on age
Age Group

Frequency

Percentage

11-20

29

29%

21-30

45

45%

31-40

21

21%

41-50

05

05%

Total

100

100%

Table no.1

Age
Upto 20

21-30
26% years
29%

Above 30

45%

Fig.1 Distribution based on age

Most of the workers are young and energetic. As per the survey, the age of 74% of the

workers is less than 30, because the workers cannot work in the garments for long time because
of occupational hazards and workplace stress especially females and the employers dont prefer
aged-experienced workers in the factories to reduce cost employing fresh workers at low
remuneration .

Distribution based on Sex

Sex
Male
Female
Total

Frequency
11
89
100

Total
11%
89%
100%

Table no.2

Sex
Male ; 11%

Fe male ; 89%

Fig.2 Distribution based on sex

The number of workers surveyed shows that about 90% are female and only about 10% are male.
Readymade garment mainly attract young female workers who want to contributing to the family
matters

Distribution based on marital status

Marital Status

Frequency

Percentage

Unmarried

37

37.%

Married

53

53%

Others

10

10%

Total

100

100%

Table no.3

Martial Status
10%

Unmarried
Married

37%

Others
53%

Fig.3 Distribution based on martial status

Among the workers surveyed, maximum 53% are married and work because the income of their
life partners income is not sufficient to run the family and 37% are unmarried.
Distribution based on family member
Family Member

Frequency

Percentage

1-2

23

23%

3-4

46

46%

5-6

31

31%

Total

100

100%

Table no.4

Family Member
Less than 3

3 or 4

Above 5

Fig.4 Distribution based on family member

At this day, cost of living is very much high. It is also affected by the number of family
members, that is, the higher the number of family members, the higher would be the cost of
living for the family. As per our survey, 31% of the workers have 5 or more than 5 family
members, 69% of them have less than 5
Distribution based on earning family member
Earning Member

Frequency

Percentage

16

16%

74

74%

3 or above

10

10%

Total

100

100%

Table no.5
74% of the workers have one or two earning members. Therefore it is found that maximum
families have 3-5 dependent members whose expenses are borne by only 1-2 earning members.
Without female workers earning, most of their families would slide below the poverty level.
Distribution based on education level
Education Level(Class)

Frequency

Percentage

Almost no literacy

29

29%

1-5

67

67%

6-10

03

03%

11-12

01

01%

Total

100

100%

Table no.6

Educaion Level
Up to SSC; 3%

Almost no literacy; 29%

Up to class 5; 68%

Fig.5 Distribution based on educational level

Education is the backbone and foundation of getting a job and performing better in the job.
Increase in the level of workers education may be contributing to
a reduction in male-female wage differences . But our survey on garments workers indicate
that 29% of them are either illiterate or can sign only and 68% of them have education up to
class five. and only 3% go up to high school. Because of their lower educational level, their work
understanding and working capacity is expected to be poor and therefore, they are being given
poor remuneration and facilities by the employers.
Distribution on duration of job experience
Job Experience(Years)

Frequency

Percentage

1-3

32

32%

4-5

46

46%

6-10

22

22%

Total

100

100%

Table no. 7
Experience is an extra advantageous factor for getting a job and getting higher amount of
remuneration in any organization. As per the survey, 78% of the workers were unemployed or
newly employed or have experience of 5 years or less working in garments industries. Only 22 %
of the workers have the working experience of above 5 years.

Distribution based on daily working hours

Daily working hour

Frequency

Percentage

0- 8

04

04%

9-15

96

96%

Total

100

100%

Table no.8

Distribution based on monthly overtime work hours

Monthly overtime work hour

Frequency

Percentage

0-30

19

19%

31- 60

63

63%

61-120

18

18%

Total

100

100%

Table no.9

Daily Working Hours

Less than 8

8 hours or more

Monthly Overtime Hours

Less than 60

Fig 6-7 Distribution based daily and monthly working hours

Above 60

As per the survey, only 04% of the workers work 8 hours or less per day and 96% of the workers
work more 8 hours or more. Overtime work is an advantage and extra earning source for the
garments workers. 82% of the workers work less than 60 hours a month and 18% work more
than 60 hours per month as overtime for the organizations. In some cases, workers work
overtime in the week end. As their salary is very low, they always try to earn some extra amount
from overtime works. Hence, they cannot provide much time for their family or children. As a
result, they become unhappy in their family life. Due to long working hours, female workers are
obliged to shorten their time for pleasure and sleep because traditionally they are required to take
care of all domestic chores.

Distribution based on casual leaves

Days

Frequency

Percentage

Up to 10 days

15

75%

Above 10 days

75

15%

Total

100

100%

Table no.10
Casual leave of highest 10 days a year is allowed with pay. The study shows that 15% of the
workers get less than 10 days casual leave per year. Though the workers are bound to work even
they are sick to avoid the reduction of salary, 75% respondents told that they are to take casual
leave and salary is reduced due to it on the basis of number of casual leaves.
Distribution based on monthly accommodation expenses.
Monthly Accommodation Expenses(tk)

Frequency

Percentage

0-1500

20

20%

1501-2500

65

65%

2501-3500

15

15%

Total

100

100%

Table no.11

Accomodation (monthly)expense(tk.)
Above 2000; 15%

Below 1000; 20%

1001-2000; 65%

Fig.8 Distribution on monthly accommodation expenses.

A problem faced by workers especially in urban areas in the lack of proper accommodation. It is
terribly expensive for a single person to rent an accommodation on her own. It is also difficult to
find a landlord who would let out his place to a single woman. Unmarried females share a room
with others to keep house rent lower. Married females also rent a house jointly with others
couples. Females face extreme hardships to make ends meet because of low wages and higher
rental costs. The study shows that almost 85% respondents pay taka 2500 or less as house rent
where most of them have a basic of less than taka 3500.The allowance of house rent is less than
actually what they pay.
Distribution based on workers turnover.
Worker turnover

Frequency

Percentage

Less than 2 Garments

74

74%

26

26%

100

100%

More than 2 Garments

Total

Table no.12

A worker cannot find any legal aid to establish his or her claim, since he or she is not given any
appointment letter against her job. Appointment is given only on the basis of verbal contract. The
study also reveals that rate of turnover among the garments workers is low i.e. about 74% of the
workers worked in a factory only because of no appointment letter, no/low experience, low level
of education and non availability of job. But the experienced workers switch over for better job
as we found that about 26% of the workers changed more than two garments.
Distribution based on nature of harassment/torture.
Nature of Harassment/Torture

Frequency

Percentage

Almost no Harassment

59

59%

Sexual or Mental

41

41%

Total

100

100%

Table no.13

Almost nothing

Sexual or Mental

Fig 9 Distribution based on nature of harassment/torture

Harassment by male colleagues or by management in the workplace is very common for the
female workers in the garments industries. As per the survey results, more than 40% of the
workers are harassed/ tortured physically, mentally, sexually or other ways. On the other hand, it
is a matter of pleasure that almost 60 % of the workers opined that there is almost no harassment
in their workplace.
Distribution based on job environment.
Job Environment

Frequency

Percentage

Satisfied

57

57%

Dissatisfied

43

43%

Total

100

100%

Table no.14

Environment of Jobs
Satisfied

Dissatisfied

Fig.10 Distribution based on job environment

Job environment is a vital factor generally for the garments workers and specifically for female
garments workers. At present the job or work environment is not bad in our garments factories
because about 43% of the workers are dissatisfied on their job environment and 57% of them are
happy in this case. The better job environment was possible to achieve by the imposed terms and
conditions of the foreign buyers and more monitoring of the government regulatory authorities.
But in some garments factories, the environment is uncongenial, overcrowded, congested, poorly
ventilated, lack of amenities and fire exits and fire alarms, etc.
Distribution based on Application of labor laws.
Labor law

Frequency

Percentage

Dont know

37

37%

Few application

59

59%

Well applied

04

04%

Total

100

100%

Table no.15

37% of the workers do not know about the application of labour law in their garments; 59% of
the workers said that there is no or little application of the law in their garments industries. Only
4% said positively.
Distribution on facilities of labor union.
Labor Union

Frequency

Percentage

No Union or Inactive

93

93%

Active Union

07

07%

Total

100

100%

Table no.16

As per the survey, 93% of the workers opined that there in almost no labour union in their
factories because the owners and management are extremely averse to any types of unionization
of their workforce. Again the workers opined that though there is a union in their industries but
the leaders of the union are managed by the authority and therefore, they are not working
for the workers but serving the interest of the owners of the garments. There are many
federations of garments workers unions working in the country, but many of them are in name
only and are not registered with the Directorate of Labour.
Distribution based on causes on labor unrest.
Causes of labor unrest

Frequency

Percentage

Dont know

57

57%

Others

43

43%

Total

100

100%

Table no.17
Now-a-days, One party (segments of the labours) blames another party for the creation of unrest
in the garments. But 57 % of the workers opined that they do not know why the unrest are
occurred in the garments industries; about 43% said that unrests are occurred due to reduction of
the exploitation and harassments, influence of the leaders or

increase salaries. Therefore,

among the reasons of unrest in the garments industries, salary and salary related matters induce
the workers more as per their opinion. They also opined that if they are paid just and appropriate

salaries and perquisites in time then the unrest in the garments industries would be eliminated or
reduced.
Distribution based on mode of payment of salaries.
Payment mode

Frequency

Percentage

monthly

98

98%

Others

02

02%

Total

100

100%

Table no.18
Distribution based on basic salary structure.
Basic salary

Frequency

Percentage

Below 3000

Nil

Nil

3000-3500

42

42%

3501-4000

34

34%

Above 4000

24

24%

Total

100

100%

Table no.19
Distribution based on total salary per month.
Monthly salary

Frequency

Percentage

0-5300

04

04%

5301-6000

51

51%

6001-7000

29

29%

7001-10000

16

16%

Total

100

100%

Table no.20

Basic salary scale

24%

42%

34%

3000-3500
3501-4000
Above 4000

Total Monthly Salary(tk.)

5300-6000; 51%
Above 7000; 16% Below 5300; 4%
6001-7000; 29%

Fig.11-12 Distribution based on basic and overall monthly salary

The common scenario of the payment of the female garments industries reveals that the female
garments workers are underpaid based on different grounds. Salaries and perquisites are one of
the main factors that determine the economic position and life standard of the female garments
workers. Amount of salary indicate their miserable situation of their life. As per our survey, 76%
of the workers get less than taka 4000 as basic pay. Though there exist higher grades and basic
salary scales, only 24% can avail them. Almost 84% of the workers get Tk. less than taka 7000 as
total pay per month, which is really insufficient to lead their life with 3-4 dependent members in
the family in a city. Only 16% of the workers get more than Tk 7000 as total monthly salary.
Female labours are very cheap in Bangladesh but they are employed in this industry to exploit
the comparatives advantages of their disadvantages, like the low price of their labour, their low
bargaining power, and their docility.
Distribution on timings for payment of wages

Payment time

Frequency

Percentage

1st-10th day in next month

83

83%

After 10th day in next month

17

17%

Total

100

100%

Table no.21
The workers are not only deprived from appropriate amount of salary but also deprived from
getting the salary in time. As per our survey result, 83% of the workers get their salary of the last
month before 10th day of the next month, 17% of the workers require waiting 10-15 days or
more to get their salaries of the last month.
Distribution based on mode of bonus payments
Bonus

Frequency

Percentage

No bonus

12

12%

Festivals

77

77%

Others

11

11%

Total

100

100%

Table no 22

Bonus
80
60
40
20
0

No Bonus

Festivals

Others

Fig.13 Distribution based on mode of bonus payments

Basically different types of bonuses are given to the workers for encouraging them for better
performance and sincerity in the work. But most (77%) of the garments workers get only festival
bonus from their employers.

Distribution based on medical allowance system

Medical allowance

Frequency

Percentage

No allowance

47

47%

Little allowance

33

33%

Onetime payment for severe accident

20

20%

Total

100

100%

Table no.23
One of the basic needs of the human being is Medical allowances from the employer but it is
unfortunate that 47% of the surveyed workers get nothing from their employers for
medications if they make any accident or become sick.33% get little amount . Only 20% get
compensation after accident inside the garments buildings or factory. Again it takes time, money,
harassment to get medical allowances.
Distribution based on maternity leave.
Maternity leave with Pay

Frequency

Percentage

Yes

87

87 %

No

13

13 %

Total

100

100%

Table no.24

Maternity Leave(with pay)

No

Yes

Fig.14 Distribution based on maternity leave.

Maternity leave is a basic and humanitarian right of the female garments workers but all the
garments factories are not willing to allow maternity leave to their workers with regular

pay. This study shows that almost 90% of RMG workers get maternity leave but most of them
get benefit of less than 3 months .Again most them have to struggle to get amount timely, have to
give bribe to get amount properly.
Distribution on amount of savings.
Savings(tk.)

Frequency

Percentage

0-500

07

07%

501- 1000

76

77 %

1001-2000

15

15%

2001-3000

02

02%

Total

100

100%

Table no.25

Mothly Saving(tk)
Almost Nothing

Below 1000

Above 1000

Fig.15 Distribution based on monthly savings

Saving is an important factor that affects the socio-economic condition of the garments workers.
Savings position of the workers surveyed reveals their very frustrating position. As per the
survey result, about 7% of the workers can save almost nothing. Though many of them save but
most of them (83%) save less than 1000 Tk per month. Only 17% can save more than 1000 taka.
Distribution based on transport facilities.
Transport facility

Frequency

Percentage

No facility

68

68%

Have facility

32

32%

Total

100

100%

Table no.26
Workers come to the industries from different locations basically due to non-availability of the
dwelling houses near to their factories. It is said that living in a factory accommodation is the
most secure housing system. The study reveals that 68% of the workers are provided no transport
facilities and hence the female workers face various problems including unsafe transportation
and not attending in the factories in time. Some organizations are providing transport in one way,
and it is pleasurable to mention here that 32% of the workers surveyed are provided with the
transport facility either in one way or in both the way but cancelled during hartals.
Distribution based on satisfaction towards earning.
Level of satisfaction

Frequency

Percentage

Satisfied

67

67%

Not Satisfied

33

33%

Total

100

100%

Table no.27

Earning Satisfaction
Satisfied

Dissatisfied

33%
67%

Fig.16 Distribution based on earning satisfaction

Distribution based on overall satisfaction toward overall job.
Job Satisfaction
Well Satisfied
Satisfied
Not Satisfied
Total

Frequency
31
62
07
100
Table no.28

Percentage
31%
62%
07%
100%

Overall Job Satisfaction

Fig.17 Distribution based on overall job satisfaction

Degree of satisfaction of a worker is a subjective judgment. So the level of satisfaction has been
measured by scaling into some categories such as well satisfied, satisfied and not satisfied. Here
the satisfaction level of the garments workers towards earnings and overall jobs is in on average
good position but it does not mean that they are earning more because about 84% of the workers
get Tk.7000 or less per month in total. As per the survey, 67% of the workers are satisfied with
their earnings and 33% are dissatisfied in term of earning whereas almost 93% have overall job
satisfaction.

3.2 INTERACTION
3.2.1 Interaction between age and salary

Class X =Age
Class Y=Monthly salary
Class-Y
0 - 5300

5301 - 7000

7001 - 10000

11 - 20

27

21 - 40

49

14

41 - 50

04

Class-X

C.I.(y)
M.V.(y)

0 - 5300 5301 - 7000 7001 - 10000

2650

6150.5

8500.5

C.I.(x) M.V.(x) dx \ dy

-3500.5

2350

fx

fdx fdx2 fdxdy

11 - 20

15.5

-1

[7001] 2

[0] 27

[0] 0

29

-29 29

21 - 40

30.5

[0] 2

[0] 49

[0] 14

65

41 - 50

45.5

[0] 0

[0] 4

[4700] 2

4700

fy

80

16

100

-14002

37600

23598

fdy

49014001

88360000

137374001

fdxdy

7001

4700

11701

fdy
2

r = (n fdxdy - fdx fdy )/( SQRT(n f dx2 - ( fdx)2) SQRT(n f dy2 - ( fdy)2) )
= (100 11701 - -23 23598 )/( SQRT(100 35 - (-23)2) SQRT(100 137374001 - (23598)2 )
= (1170100 + 542754 )/( 3500 - 529 13737400100 - 556865604 )
= 1712854/( 54.5069 114806.5089 )
= 1712854/6257744.6407
= 0.2737
Comments:
There exists a positive relationship between age and salary.

3.2.2 Interaction between education and salary

7001

-23 35 11701

Class X=Level of education

Class Y=Monthly salary
Class-Y
0 - 7000

7001 - 7000

0-5

84

12

6 - 12

Class-X

C.I.(y)

0 - 7000

7001 - 7000

M.V.(y)

3500

7000.5

C.I.(x)

M.V.(x)

dx \ dy

fx

fdx

fdx2

fdxdy

0-5

2.5

2.5

[0] 84

[30] 12

96

240

600

30

6 - 12

[0] 0

[36] 4

36

324

36

fy

84

16

100

276

924

66

fdy

16

16

fdy

16

16

fdxdy

66

66

r = (n fdxdy - fdx fdy )/( SQRT(n f dx2 - ( fdx)2) SQRT(n f dy2 - ( fdy)2) )

= (100 66 - 276 16 )/( SQRT(100 924 - (276)2) SQRT(100 16 - (16)2 )

= (6600 - 4416 )/( 92400 - 76176 1600 - 256 )
= 2184/( 127.3735 36.6606 )
= 2184/4669.5884
= 0.4677

Comments:
The two variables level of education and monthly salary are positively correlated.
If education level increases, the salary will eventually increase.

CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Conclusion:
Readymade garment industry has turned into the main pillar of our economy. The development
of our country vastly depends on this RMG sectors.RMG industry provide huge employments
especially low educated poor migrant female labor, huge foreign currencies for our countries,
developing RMG focused supporting businesses, huge profit for owners and quality cloches with
low prices at local markets.RMG is the biggest industrial sector in term of labor force.RMG
related bodies are getting huge benefits except the workers of RMG. Workers in the RMG
industry live amidst appalling poverty without having access to the minimum of the urban
facilities. House-rent accounts for half the monthly income; home is a windowless room in a
concrete building shared with five others or a sweltering hutment of tin. The garment workers are
being compressed into a declining area of the city, while factories, palaces blazing with light,
tower over slums and tenements. They are confronted with numerous socio-economic and
psychological problems primarily caused by unhealthy housing, lack of social security, insecure
and low income, high price of daily necessities, lack of health education. These social
imbalances have created differential attitudes towards family life and other issue crucial to the
socio-economic development of our country. Workers help keep the economy on going on in the
garment industries. But they are victims of disparity in their working places. They work for
longer hours but receive marginal salary. Sometimes females are seen to be harassed by the male
counterparts or by the owner groups. The garments owners should understand that the minimum
wage of a female garments worker is Taka 3,000 (basic).It is very difficult to have a comfortable
life with allowances taka 2300 (5300 -3000) of house rent, medical, transportation etc in term of
living in a city . It is difficult for the workers to sustain their life under the prevailing high prices
of daily necessities with this meager amount of money. Rent and food prices have been
increasing radically in the last five years. Most of females are recently migrants who came to city
so they could send money to their landless families; but after living expenses, nothing is left; the
only gift to those they love is their own absence one less mouth to feed. Though the study
shows their positives attitudes toward certain socio economic variables

including earning

satisfaction, overall job satisfaction, job environment, bonus etc, actually it is found that this
satisfactions are based on their realization that they could be unemployed and what they are
getting is good for them, or from their awareness of their education, job experience, family
pattern, family tradition, husbands or wifes earning status, supporting family especially
contributing their childrens future, and socio-economic conditions of the country. It is
motivating factor for the survival and stability of garment workers in Bangladesh.

4.2 Recommendations:
The study recommends the following to improve the socio economic conditions of RMG
workers working and living in Chittagong.
1) Minimum wages of workers should be reconsidered in term of present living expenses.
The formulation of minimum wages should be practical, impartial and reasonable. This
shouldnt be only owner focused. Present living costs should be considered while
formulating minimum wages. Again minimum wages must be implements in all
garments.
2) Long time working schedule create adverse effects not only on their body, mind but also
on their family as most of the workers are female who have to render their traditional
household works. If basic wages increases, tendency to involve in more overtime work
schedule in term of earning more will ultimately decrease resulting having extra time for
involvement in family matter in greater extent.
3) Hygienic and safe workplace environment is to be ensured. Health and safety issues must
be given more preference by keeping provision for emergency safe exit in every floor of
the factory building, fire extinguisher, first aid box, sufficient ventilation, regular
cleaning etc.
4) Transportation facilities should be provided by the employers. It may be fully free for the
workers or workers should bear a small portion of it determined by the employers based
on basic wages. Employers can buy own buses or hire so called city service buses at least
for twice a working day-morning shift and evening shift.
5) Level of education of RMG workers is very poor. Due to low level of education, workers
secure only lower position, less earning, low productivity.

6) Educational level of the garments workers is very low; work at lower position; and
productivity is also poor and hence they get poor salaries and they cannot claim for more.
If the educational level of the workers can be developed then their productivity
will increase and they will be able to perform better and will earn more. For educational
development, the owners should establish educational institutes and training centers to
make them educated in different rules and regulations and to make them aware of their
responsibilities. Education of the children of the workers should be patronized by the
owners.
7) Due to long working hours at the unhygienic job environment the female workers
become sick frequently but they get no or very poor support from their industries in this
regard. Hence garments industries should set up medical center or at least appoint
minimum number of medical officers or female doctors especially for the female
workers.
8) Torture and different types of harassment are very common at the garments industries for
the female workers. In some cases these tortures cause deaths of the workers in the
garments industries in the working hours. Female officers may be appointed or the male
officers may be given sufficient training to reduce torture and harassment of the female
workers. Formulation and implementation of rules to prevent torture or harassment must
be ensured.
9)

Trade union practices should be patronized provided that the practices are fair and
constructive. Trade union will increase the bargaining power of the workers. Female
representative is also need to be ensured in the part of leadership of the union.

10) Government of

Bangladesh has already enacted labor law (Bangladesh Labor Law-

2006) which is workers friendly but implementation of these laws is not ensured in RMG.
Govt. should not only raise awareness among the workers regarding the laws but also
close monitoring should be ensured if the laws are implemented inside factories.
Punishment oriented steps should be taken against the owners if violation of laws are
found.
11) There is a provision for the workers to have a portion of net profit from the garment
factory authority. This provision must be implemented. Govt. should charge the owners
who are not following this.

12) Owners should introduce baby care point at every garments so that the mother working
at that will feel some sort of relive that will eventually increase the productivity of them.