Muntakim Mannan Choudhury

The Factories Act, Its needs and reasons for it to be implemented:

Factories Act 1965 (Act XXV of 1934), amended in 1976, adopted with the objective
of regulating the appointment of workers, their wages and the working conditions in
factories, including health and hygiene, safety, welfare, working hours, leave and holidays,
and punishments and penalties for both the owners and workers for non-compliance of the
requirements. East Pakistan Factories Act 1965 was published in the Dhaka Gazette
Extraordinary in September 1965. The government of Bangladesh adopted the Act and
declared it enforceable throughout the country. It has 11 chapters and 116 main sections.

The Act defines and clarifies various terms included in it. Important among such
terms are: adolescent, adult, child, day, explosive substance, factory, machinery,
manufacturing process, occupier, prime mover, shift in factory, transmission machinery,
working hour, and wages. It describes the power of the government relating to declaration of
departments as separate factories, notification by the chief inspector before commencement
of work, and declaration of any factory as seasonal (depending upon the number of working
days in a year or in a particular season). It incorporates the provisions for obtaining approval
of factory plans, including the construction or extension, class or description of factories from
the chief inspector. It also specifies the fees for licensing and registration.
The Act incorporates rules for appointing the chief inspector, inspectors and certifying
surgeons by the government for overseeing the purposes of the Act and certifying the fitness
of workers. According to the Act, every factory is to be maintained clean and free from
effluvia arising from any drain, privy or other nuisance. Effective arrangements are to be
made in every factory for the disposal of wastes and effluents, prevention of accumulation of
dust and fume, and proper ventilation and maintenance of room temperature.
The Act requires that factory must ensure adequate fire safety measures, appropriate
means of escaping in case of fire, and protection against dangerous and accident-prone parts
of machinery, electric and mechanical devices, self-acting machines, etc. Workers are to be
given proper training before they are employed on dangerous machines. Controlling
appliances of cranes and other lifting machines, hoists and lifts must be of good construction,
sound material and adequate strength. Other sources of dangers, such as pits, sumps,
openings in floors, etc, should be securely covered or fenced and effective screens or suitable
goggles should be provided to workers to protect their eyes. Every factory is to have adequate
and suitable facilities for washing and bathing and provide first-aid medicines and appliances.
Canteens and rooms for children should also be maintained. In every factory wherein five
hundred or more workers are employed, the occupier should employ a number of welfare
officers as may be prescribed.
Under the Act no adult worker shall be allowed to work in a factory for more than
forty-eight hours in a week or on weekly holidays unless stated otherwise. Workers may,
however, be put to work on off days, but only with the provision for an equal number of
compensatory holidays. Other rules regarding working hours of adults relate to daily working
hours, interval for rest or meals, spread over, night shifts and prohibition of overlapping
shifts, extra allowances for overtime, restriction on double employment, notice of periods of
work, and registration of adult workers. The Act prohibits employment of any child under the
age of 14 in any factory. An adolescent may be employed only after granting a certificate of
fitness issued by a certifying surgeon. Working hours for such young persons, if employed,
shall not be more than five hours a day. They shall not be allowed to work between 7 pm and
7 am. In every factory, a notice of the periods of work for children shall be displayed and a
register maintained. The inspector of factories is empowered to order the medical
examination of a child worker if required.
Under different circumstances and conditions laid down in various sections of the
Act, workers are entitled to have certain days as annual leave with wages, festival holidays,
and casual and sick leave. However, the workers may be allowed some leave without pay.
The government is empowered to make rules regarding leave and holidays for factory
workers. The Act has provisions regarding dangerous operations in any factory, notices of
certain accidents, dangerous occurrences and certain diseases. Penalties for employers
indicated in the Act include general penalty for offences, such as obstructing inspectors,
wrongful disclosure of information or disclosure of restricted information, and employment
of child workers.
The Factories Act has provisions for making appeal by parties concerned in factories,
such as owner/occupiers, managers, inspectors and workers. The government can formulate
rules for factories for the submission of returns to regulatory authorities. Workers are
prohibited to interfere in any affairs of the factory, which may cause loss or damage to the
factory itself or to other workers. The Act also made a provision for repeal and it declared
that notwithstanding the repeal, any order or notification issued, any action taken, any
proceeding commenced or anything done under any provision of the Act shall continue in
force.
The reason for choosing the RMG (Ready made garments) Industry:
After Liberation when country's traditional items of export could not yield expected
result, in late 70s the government and a section of entrepreneurs - young, educated and
dynamic, began to emphasize on development of non-traditional items of export. By the year
1983, Ready-Made-Garment (RMG) emerged to be a non-traditional export oriented sector
most promising in the socioeconomic context of the country. By that time, those
entrepreneurs felt a necessity of sectoral trade body, non-government in nature, free from
traditional bureaucracy, to help the RMG sector and to boost up the foreign exchange
earnings of the country urgently needed at that time. Responding to that necessity, 19
(Nineteen) RMG manufacturers and exporters joined together and by their untiring efforts got
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) incorporated on
February 20, 1983, Today 2400 small and medium scale privately owned garment factories,
registered with BGMEA, spread in cluster over the EPZ and urban areas of Dhaka,
Chittagong and Khulna, are manufacturing ready-made garments of varied specifications as
per size and designs stipulated by the overseas buyers. Starting with a few items, the
entrepreneurs in the RMG sector have widely diversified the product base ranging from
ordinary shirt, T-shirt, trousers, shorts, pajama, ladie's wear and children's wear to
sophisticated high value items like quality suits, branded jeans items, jackets-both cotton and
leather, sweaters, embroidered wear etc.
During the industry's early days in late 70s, RMG producers and exporters had to
import all fabrics and accessories. Through the passage of about one and a half decade, today
the situation has changed a lot. In 1995, RMG industry of the country used local accessories
around 70% of the total accessory requirement of the industry. Presently, around 80% of
required accessories like elastic, collar band, price ticket, metal clip, zipper, plastic clip,
cellophane tape, carton, hangers etc. are being supplied from local sources. Local supply of
other accessories is also increasing regularly. It can also be noted that we never can look
forward to having supplies of all trimming materials from within the country because
sometimes the producers have to import some accessories, according to buyers' preference,
from some specific foreign suppliers. Dishonoring such conditions may cause losing valuable
buyers. Considering this point, a size of local accessory industry capable to meet around 90%
of the total demand is good enough to support smooth development of the RMG industry.
That means, in accessory industry, we are not long way off. Both foreign and local capital is
invested in the accessory industry.
But, though the CMT (Cutting, Making and Trimming) basis apparel sector has
created an export oriented captive market for over 2.5 billion yards of fabrics per year which
is increasing by not less than 20% each year, textile sector, rather capital intensive one,
requires foreign capital to flourish to successfully match the fabric requirement of the export
oriented RMG sector of the country.
If classified into knit and woven categories only, the story of knit fabric is far better
than of the other. In 1995, the industry imported 86% of its total required fabrics from
countries like China, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc.
Out of the total fabric requirement of the industry, usually around 16% is constituted by the
knit fabrics. Presently around 96% of the total requirement of woven fabrics and around 35%
of the total requirement of knit fabrics are imported by the export oriented RMG industry.
It is not that fabrics are not produced in the country enough for the industry rather the
quantity of locally produced fabrics, conforming to the choice of the buyers in the global
market, is very negligible. In 1995, out of the local fabrics used in the industry, 4 million
meters of Grameen Check (GC), a recently developed locally produced handloom fabric,
were used. Statistics show that presently the textile industry of the country is developing in a
way that earth two-year around 230 million yards of fabrics are being produced as additional.
Fetching only US $ 6.4 million in 1981,now the number of RMG units is around 4000
and the export earnings have reached $ 6.4 billion, enjoying the status of 5th largest garment
exporter and largest shirt and T-shirt exporter to the EU and 6th largest apparel exporter to
USA. Bangladesh now exports ready-made garments to as many as 30 countries of the world
with EU as the major importer, followed by USA, the largest importing country.
. At the moment, 2 million garments workers are working in RMG units, of whom 80
percent are women. RMG roughly covers 76% of total export in the country and is the
highest earning industry in the country. Statistics shows that RMG sector and related
upstream and downstream activities are estimated to contribute an income of about $ 50
billion, which is equivalent to 9 % of Bangladeshs GDP. Comparatively, over the same
period, Bangladeshs disbursement of aid was to the tune of only about $ 800 million. Thus
RMG sectors contribution to Bangladeshs balance of payment and foreign reserve also
cannot be understated. Low wages have traditionally been a major strength of Bangladeshs
labor intensive apparels sector. The hourly wage rate of Bangladeshs apparel sector is lower
than those in India and Sri Lanka (US $ 0.39 as those compared to $ 0.69 and $ 0.48
respectively). Even the facts remain that trade unionism is also virtually absent in the
garments sector of Bangladesh.
The RMG sector directly employs about 2 million (20 lakh) while about 10 million (1
crore) people are its dependents or beneficiaries. So, RMG sector, from creating employment,
contributing to a healthy growth of GDP, increasing foreign reserve, has a significant
importance on our economy for maintaining sustainability.
Forces Behind the Development

The success story of the Readymade Garments sector of Bangladesh is based on
employment generation and increasingly high value addition, thus smoothening the path for
growth and development of the country. The apparel and garment industry propels sectors
such as banking, finance and insurance, cargo, shipping and transport, entertainment and
hospitality, research and education and a lot more. The mentioned performance of the
industry has been possible due to:

The Government of Bangladesh has always been concerned about the sector's growth
and has played an active role as a catalyst to solve various complexities, whenever
intervention was necessary.
The cheap but disciplined and regimented workforce has been key for the success of
this industry.
The entrepreneur class has been dedicated and motivated to the country's economic
prosperity.
The quality of the manufactured apparel, which has been increasingly recognized by
our international buyers and end users all over the world.

Buyers' response has been encouraging through repeat orders. The industry has been
producing all sort of apparels for all seasons and has managed to get repeat orders for every
season.

The import policy of Bangladesh has been flexible and friendly for import of
accessories. Although there are accountable anomalies, the financial institutions, both
nationalized and private, have been serving to assist this sector.

Readymade garment industries have managed to maintain the confidence of the buying class
and others in the business. Although the backward linkage textile industry is not adequate for
the needs of the RMG industry, it has been supporting regular manufacturing and supply
systems to some extent.

Bottlenecks Retarding the Growth of the Readymade Garment Sector:

This vital and vibrant export oriented industry has been facing some problems from
local forces, which may be termed weaknesses (or the Nation's weakness), and some
problems caused by forces beyond our geographical/political boundary, which may be termed
as threats to our industry. The Readymade Garment Industry is already 20 years old but
during the last two decades no planned, fruitful policy to build up a backward linkage textile
industry to feed the RMG industry has been taken by the authorities. Even the existing textile
industries are not capable of producing high standard fabrics to offset the foreign ones from
the market. Shortage of capital necessary to develop local sources for quality fabrics/yam is a
major weakness. The reason behind the shortage of capital, however, can be attributed to the
socio-economic condition of the country; enabling foreign direct investment could however,
compensate for this. Furthermore although the Government has responded to the RMG
industry's requests for devaluation of the local currency the Taka from time to time, it has
failed to decrease the current rate of interest. At the same time, our financial policy measures
are not sufficient to attract entrepreneurs to invest in the textile industry. Anomalies in the
banking sector, problems at the port, vindictive political environment, bureaucratic shackles,
electricity crisis, currency adjustment policy pursued by the country, and the lack of some
policy support from the government to sustain the country's falling competitiveness against
its competitors in the international market are other serious weaknesses.

Without miscellaneous expenditures no file moves, no UC is cashed, no imported
raw material released. There are many eager hands in the public service agencies that the
industries have to fill with ready cash. Without this practice no job can be done timely. The
public service agencies work very slowly and speed money becomes the only solution to
hasten the procedure. This is however done increasing by miscellaneous expenditures. The
raw materials the industry imports, say, within 7 days, take an additional 15 days to reach
warehouses from the Chittagong port. About 54 formalities (with miscellaneous expenditure)
have to be observed to release a shipment of raw materials. These formalities increased the
industry's lead-time against overseas competitors.

The weaknesses, which have been mentioned above, could be classified in following
categories:

Unstable political environment and unfavorable law and order
Insufficient development of political measures for the RMG sector
Inadequate financial measures
Infrastructural bottlenecks
Inefficient service support
Inappropriate development management and institutional initiatives

Political Instability

Due to the last non-cooperation movement in 1995-96 the industry suffered a loss of
about Tk. 4,500 crore (Tk. 45 billion) and about 300 factories were forced to take loans of
over Tk. 200 crore (Tk. 2 billion). Due to hartal (general strike) and other such political
programs, problems such as order cancellations and stock-lot gluts arose in the ready-made
garment industry. Banks started showing its reluctance to open L/Cs. Ultimately many
affected factories were on the verge of winding-up and declaring bankruptcy. The export
oriented garment industry bore production losses equivalent to Tk 6-9 crore (Tk. 60-90
million) per hour.

Unfavorable Law and Order Situation

The disrupting law and order situation is another heavy constraint which hinders not
only the development of the national economy but also the development of the export-
oriented RMG sector. Due to the depreciating law and order situation, the interest of both the
employers and the employees are being affected.

In this relation it should be mentioned that the Factories' Act and labor laws of the
country are old and do not support the development of the export-oriented RMG sector. The
changed environment must be reviewed and in this process all interested and involved parties
should be integrated.


Contemporary issues in RMG sectors:

Although RMG sector is an essential part of our country, spontaneous unrest over
different matters is occurring from time to time in our garments sector.
Recently, labor unrest among hundreds of workers in Shewrapara (Mirpur Area) has
occurred. As a result of this outburst, nearby garments factories were damaged, vehicles were
torched and the road remained blocked for some days.
Problems associated with RMG industry:
During our survey, our search for visualizing the actual scenario of garments industry and our
conversation with he workers and owners of garments, unearthed some serious problems
which has to be resolved for the betterment of our Garments industry.
Workers are dissatisfied over their pay structure because it hardly ensures two square
meals a day against the backdrop of skyrocketing price of essential commodities.
Some RMG units didnt implement the minimum wage board which expired on June
30, 2007.
Absence of healthy labor movement.
Arrears in payment or overtime bills.
Forcing workers to work long hours in poor and unsafe environment.
BGMEA and BGMEAs role as silent spectator in some sensitive labor exploitation
issues.
Communication gap between workers and owners.
Funding problems of garments owners to meet due payment and overtime bills.
No knowledge about the literacy of responsibility and authority to a job by workers.
No job security for workers.
Bank and other financial institutions unwillingness to fund adequately in RMG units.
Government and BGMEAs failure to act as a bridge for solution of all controversies
and problems between owners and workers.
Lack of proper mechanism that effectively and continually adjust minimum wage
with price of market basket that a typical worker uses.
Conclusion:
RMG sector in Bangladesh has come a long way in last two decades. The industry has
crossed many hurdles to stay competitive. It has proved many predictions futile and wrong,
and compete fiercely even after the abolition of quota. The credit for that achievement goes to
both the entrepreneurs and the laborers. Taking that fighting spirit ahead, the RMG sector
must formulate an equitable solution for all the involved parties and ensure brighter future for
the country as a whole. The near term reality for a country like Bangladesh remains to be
competitive through cheap labor, unless we can improve our infrastructure and fix the
domestic economy dramatically as well as manage a shift to quality through better
productivity and efficiency. Some of the garments owners'(especially the EPZ ones) has
recognized the hard realities and managing the transition well. The others have to take it or
leave it. These `others' also include workers, policy planners and civil society members.
In view of recent repeated accidents in various factories, the above Factories Act,
1965 needs to be amended so that it conforms to the demand of the modern times. Breach of
any of the provisions of the Act should meet with both penal and civil provisions and amount
of fine in case of breach of safety and health standards should be raised. Negligence on the
part of the authorities under the Act should be subject to penalty also. If an Inspector fails
visit factories at a regular interval or makes any faulty report, or does not visit, or fails to
prosecute the Inspector himself should be rigorously penalized and fined. The real problem
lies with the enforcement of the law by the authorities under the Act.
There is inherent lack of checks and balances among government bodies. If some
authorities under the Factories Act, 1965 were punished for the incidence of mass killing by
fire and stampede due to non-compliance of laws pertaining to safety and security, the
authorities would never forget to take care of safety measures which are their responsibility.
It is the weakness or lack of enforcement by the authorities which encourages the owners to
flout and violate the safety and health standards under the law.

Penalties: In order to protect the interest of workers in factories, both the occupier and
manager of a factory are jointly and severally liable to a fine for an offence under the Act.
Under section 93 any contravention by the occupier or manager of any provision of the Act or
Rules would expose them to penalty of fine which may extend to taka one thousand and, if
the contravention is continued after conviction, with a further fine which may extend to Taka
seventy-five for each day of the period over which the contravention continues.
It is to be noted that the general penalty remains with an offence punishable with fine
only and the amount of the fine is so meagre that every manager and owner of a factory can
easily flout the whole provision. Secondly, the Act does not make any provision for
imprisonment in case of contravention of the provisions. In India there is a provision of
imprisonment up to two years as general punishment. Thus the provisions of this Act are
toothless to frighten employer-cum-owners and managers to ensure safety measures in
factory.




Bangladesh Exporting 140 items in the global market Share of Major export items are:
01. RMG 74.16%
02. Frozen Foods 4.86%
03. Jute goods 3.55%
04. Leather 2.55%
05. Raw Jute 1011%
5 Items


2004-05


19S2-S3

1992-93

The 3 organizations of the RMG sector that we chose:
(1)GREEN KNIT WEAR:

Address: House no. 27, Road no. 8, Block - A, Sec - 12, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh.

Green Knit Wear is an export oriented garments industry established in the year 1990,
with a few machinery and human resources to produce a small range of production for its
export. And presently after more than a decade, it has expanded its activities to a
considerable large volume.

Since its inception, the company has been exporting various world class T-shirts,
Polo-shirts along with all kinds of Knit garments to several countries in the world including
Canada, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, UK, Ireland, Korea, Norway,
Sweden, Mexico, Switzerland, Italy etc.

They produce knit items with variety of designs, prints, embroideries and produces
basic T-shirt, Tank Top, Serafino, Pajama set, Henley T-shirt, Polo shirt, shorts etc.

Floor Space: 30,000 sq ft.

Member of:
Bangladesh Garments Manufacturer and Exports Association (BGMEA)
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI)

Features:
Does not employ child labor. All employees are above the age of 18
Every floor is well equipped with fire extinguishers and carries out fire drills at least
once a month.
Medical kit present for primary injuries.

Total Workers: 850


Average age of workers: 25 yrs

Child Labor: No

Working Hours: 8 Am 5 Pm

Overtime: 5 pm onwards

(2)Euro Design :

Euro Design has been established in 23
rd
December, 2004. They are a manufacturer
and exporter of all kind of handicraft items in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They have a good team of
qualified production/ quality technician. They are producing all kind of jute product, paper
made goods, candle, basket, dolls, show piece etc.

They export to several countries in the world including Switzerland, Italy, Sweden etc

1 storied factory building.

Address: Road- 9, Plot # 11, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka

Features:


Average age of workers: 16 yrs

Child Labor: Yes

Working Hours: 8 Am 5 Pm

Overtime: 5 pm onwards



(3)Shimul Wear Fashions Limited

They are exporters of embroidery designs, custom embroidered patches, embroidered
apparel, beaded and embroidered fashion accessories, home furnishings fabrics, hand
embroidered fashion items etc. It was established in the year 1993.

Address: 1/1, Baisteki, Section. 13, Mirpur - 1221, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Average age of workers: 22 yrs

Child Labor: No

Working Hours: 8 Am 5 Pm

Overtime: 5 pm onwards


Why we chose these 3 organizations:

Our main objective was to find out whether the factory act 1965 has been properly
implemented and followed in three RMG based organizations chosen at random. We have not
chosen any organizations that are listed with Dhaka Stock Exchange. This was done mainly
because; the organizations which are enlisted under Dhaka Stock Exchange are large and well
established. Doing a survey upon the workers in those organizations would not have given us
an actual scenario. Also, most of the production units of the enlisted organizations are located
outside Dhaka city. We had to keep that factor in mind due the limited time restraint. Another
major factor was that, after the recent turmoil and havoc created by a large number of
protesting workers for their rights, it was very likely that the management of the enlisted
organizations would have probably tried to influence our survey to their benefit either by
non-cooperation or by making the workers give us false information regarding the
implementation of laws regarding to their health, security, safety and welfare.

Our survey on the three chosen organizations presented us with three different
scenarios. The survey focused on issues of cleanliness of the factory, disposal of wastes,
presence of emergency exits, precautions, different facilities, etc. Our survey showed us that
the workers of Green Knit Wear were quite satisfied with the way things were running there.
Green Knit were quite effectively carrying out the clauses of Factory Act relating to workers
health, safety and welfare. The survey on Euro Design gave us a different picture though. We
found out that Euro Design employs mostly young workers and most of them were highly
dissatisfied with the facilities and management. Blatant violation of some of the clauses of
the Factory Act was happening there. Our survey in Shimul Wear Fashions Limited gave us
the impression that the workers there were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. They were
violating some of the clauses of the factory act.

Our research gave us the idea that there is a high likelihood that the Factory Act 1965
is not followed to the word in most of the RMG organizations, but in those organizations
which have low profit margin, less recognition and low quality garments products, those tend
to ignore or overlook the clauses of Factory Act almost completely.

OUR SURVEY:

As per instructions, we carried out the survey on ten workers randomly chosen from
each organization and presented them with the questionnaire. To ensure that the management
or any external force will not be able to influence our survey results, we took the workers to a
separate room and asked them the questions, one worker at a time. Overall, we carried out the
survey on 30 workers and analyzed the obtained data.



Rating:

Strongly Agree = 7
Agree = 6
Slightly Agree = 5
Neutral = 4
Slightly Disagree = 3
Disagree = 2
Strongly Disagree = 1



8URVEY RE8ULT8

(1)GREEN KNIT WEAR

Health of worker in the workplace:
ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
1 67 6.70 7
2 61 6.10 6
3 64 6.40 6
4 69 6.90 7
5 69 6.90 7
6 70 7.00 7
7 62 6.20 6



Security and safety of worker in the workplace:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
8 69 6.90 7
9 16 1.60 2
10 65 6.50 7
11 18 1.80 2
12 67 6.70 7
13 64 6.40 6
14 66 6.60 7



Welfare of worker:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
15 70 7.00 7
16 67 6.70 7
17 69 6.90 7
18 65 6.50 6
19 16 1.60 2
20 67 6.70 7
21 68 6.80 7
22 18 1.80 2


Analysis

Our survey results showed us that most of the items under Health of worker in the
workplace have an average adjusted score of 6. The workers were highly satisfied with the
state of cleanliness of their workplace, adequacy of lighting, ventilation and workspace,
proper disposal of wastes and effluents, and presence of latrines and drinking water. This
proved that Green Knit Wear has satisfactorily implemented the clauses listed under Health
of worker in the workplace of the Factory Act.

The questions regarding to Security and safety of worker in the workplace gave
mixed results. Although workers emphasized on the fact that safety is a top priority in the
eyes of the management, still some facilities are lacking such as the availability of lifts. Other
than that the workers we surveyed on agreed that the safety rules are followed to the word,
and there are adequate precautions in case of any emergency, and the stairs, passages and
gangways are constructed and properly maintained. All in all, Green Knit Wear seems to be
an ideal RMG organization in this regard.

The only negative aspects we found out about data relating to welfare of worker were the
absence of crches/mothers day care facility and lunch not being provided by the authorities.


8URVEY RE8ULT8

(2)Shimul Wear Fashions Limited

Health of worker in the workplace:
ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
1 60 6.00 6
2 60 6.00 6
3 67 6.70 7
4 61 6.10 6
5 64 6.40 6
6 61 6.10 6
7 38 3.80 4


Security and safety of worker in the workplace:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
8 45 4.50 4
9 20 2.00 2
10 47 4.70 5
11 20 2.00 2
12 39 3.90 4
13 36 3.60 4
14 56 5.60 6


Welfare of worker:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
15 46 4.60 5
16 24 2.40 2
17 18 1.80 2
18 17 1.70 2
19 15 1.50 2
20 60 6.00 6
21 18 1.80 2
22 19 1.90 2



Analysis:

Our survey at Shimul Wear fashions Limited gave us a scenario not quite unlike that
of Green Knit Wear. The workers surveyed were satisfied with their workplace, workspace
and the state of their health in the workplace. The only complaint we received from the
workers regarding to health of worker in the workplace was about the insufficient number
of latrines present. Although a small number agreed that the number of latrines present were
adequate for them, the majority showed a negative attitude towards this fact.

Again, when we asked them questions relating to security and safety of workers, we
received complaints about the absence of lifts, and about the maintenance of the stairs,
passages and gangways. Also, majority of the workers surveyed agreed that there were not
adequate precautions in case of an emergency.

Our questions regarding to welfare of worker gave us some negative results.
Although workers seemed indifferent about the adequacy of washing facility, they strongly
pointed out that there is not enough suitable arrangement of sitting facilities. They also made
clear the fact that there was not any facility like rest rooms and lunch rooms or canteen, and
lunch is not provided by the authority. We also found the absence of welfare officers and
crches/mothers day care facility.



8URVEY RE8ULT8
Euro Design

Health of worker in the workplace:
ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
1 20 2.00 2
2 21 2.10 2
3 28 2.80 3
4 59 5.90 6
5 59 5.90 6
6 56 5.60 6
7 20 2.00 2


Security and safety of worker in the workplace:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
8 20 2.00 2
9 23 2.30 2
10 57 5.70 6
11 19 1.90 2
12 56 5.60 6
13 60 6.00 6
14 53 5.30 5


Welfare of worker:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
15 31 3.10 3
16 31 3.10 3
17 11 1.10 1
18 19 1.90 2
19 57 5.70 6
20 14 1.40 1
21 17 1.70 2
22 20 2.00 2




Analysis:

Our survey left us greatly disappointed with Euro Design. Almost every aspect of the
survey turned out to give negative results in regard to this particular RMG based
organization. Our survey questions relating to the health of worker in the workplace shows
that the workers are highly dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the factory and about the
proper disposal of wastes and effluents. We also found that the ventilation of the workplace
was not adequate and the number of latrines present was not sufficient.

Questions about security and safety of workers in their workplace shed light on the
fact that the dangerous machineries are not properly fenced and one common complaint we
received from the workers of all the 3 organizations is the absence of lifts in the premises.

Our last portion of the survey about welfare of worker showed us only one positive
aspect, that lunch is provided by the authorities to the workers, although this can be
understood, as most of the workforce are young children of an average age of 16 years. Other
than that, our survey showed us that sitting, washing or canteen facilities are missing, and
there are no welfare officers and the organization has not provided any crches/mothers day
care facility and there are also no rest room or lunch rooms and the first aid facility is also
woeful. Overall, this organization presents a very gloomy picture about some of the RMG
based organizations of our country.







8URVEY RE8ULT8
All 3 garments-CONSOLIDATED

Health of worker in the workplace:
ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
1 147 4.90 5
2 142 4.73 5
3 159 5.30 5
4 189 6.30 6
5 192 6.40 6
6 187 6.23 6
7 120 4.00 4


Security and safety of worker in the workplace:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
8 134 4.46 4
9 56 1.86 2
10 169 5.63 6
11 57 1.90 2
12 162 5.40 5
13 160 5.33 6
14 175 5.83 6


Welfare of worker:

ITEM TOTAL SCORE OF
SURVEY
(Chosen option*rating)
MEAN SCORE
(Total score/No of
surveyed workers)
ADJUSTED
VALUE
15 147 4.90 5
16 122 4.07 4
17 98 3.27 3
18 101 3.36 3
19 88 2.93 3
20 141 4.70 5
21 103 3.43 3
22 57 1.90 2




Muntakim Mannan Choudhury