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Bangladesh Garment Industry: A Dangerous Road to Happiness

  • Asia Review
  • Abbr : SNUACAR
  • 2016, 6(1), pp.39~71
  • Publisher : 아시아연구소
  • Research Area : Social Science > Social Science in general

InSoo Han 1,  엄금화 2

1충남대학교
2충남대학교 경영학과

Candidate

ABSTRACT

The garment industry has been an extremely important part of Bangladesh’s economy for a long time. Bangladesh is the world’s second biggest exporter of garments after China. Readymade garments make up 80 percent of the country’s $24 billion in annual exports and 15 percent share of GDP. But a series of industrial accident like the Tazreen factory fire and the Rana Plaza collapse attracted much attention of the world for the harsh and dangerous reality facing Bangladesh garment workers. It has also led to widespread discussion about corporate social responsibilities across the global supply chains. This paper investigates the bright and dark side of Bangladesh garment industry and the real background of a series of industrial disasters. At first, it describes the historical development of Bangladesh garment industry and its contribution to the macro economy and the empowerment of women and poverty reduction of Bangladesh. This paper also investigates the working conditions of garment workers including low wage and long working hours. Other addressed topics include unsafe environment, poor social compliance and labor rights, unstable industrial relations, illegal labor practices, including others. This paper also discusses the debates on the validity of “a race to the bottom” as a theory that could explain the reality facing the Bangladesh garment industry. Lastly some implications are suggested for Korean clothing companies in Bangladesh that have been the leading foreign investors in the garment sector.

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