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Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Industry: Exploring Workplace Well-Being Issues in Policy and Practice

Author

Listed:
  • Rahima Akter

    (College of Business, School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Julian Teicher

    (College of Business, School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Quamrul Alam

    (College of Business, School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia)

Abstract

Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the workplace are major issues that affect the work environment and employee well-being. These issues have received little attention from managers in the ready-made garments (RMG) factories or policymakers more generally in Bangladesh, despite the comprehensive approach to restructuring the industry following two devastating industrial accidents. This research examines the role played by RMG factory managers in eliminating gender-based violence and increasing positive work experiences and well-being in the workplace, and the policy initiatives from the government with the aim to stop workplace violence. The study uses qualitative methods—document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that measures to protect workers from GBVH are absent in employment regulation. Though there are high court directives on workplace harassment, these have not been implemented effectively. The findings show that women workers have faced longstanding GBVH, which has impacted their well-being. The increasing rate of women leaving RMG sector jobs reflects how women workers’ well-being issues have been disregarded within the factories.

Suggested Citation

  • Rahima Akter & Julian Teicher & Quamrul Alam, 2024. "Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Industry: Exploring Workplace Well-Being Issues in Policy and Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:5:p:2132-:d:1351146
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salma Ahmed & Pushkar Maitra, 2015. "A Distributional Analysis of the Gender Wage Gap in Bangladesh," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(11), pages 1444-1458, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nahar, Habiba Lilun, 2024. "Addressing the silence: A study on the underreporting of sexual violence among female garment workers in Bangladesh," GLU Working Papers 64, Global Labour University (GLU).

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