Working Conditions and Reproductive Health Status of Female Garments Workers of Bangladesh

Research conducted in 2009

The Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector plays an important role in enhancing Bangladesh economy. The sector draws global attention for its quality production and huge employment women workers. From decades after decades we have seen the dependence on Garment industry growing in Bangladesh. In 1983, there were about 50 garment factories in the country. In 2004, this number had jumped to 4,000. At the time of writing this report, in early 2009, there are about 4500 garment factories in Bangladesh. Currently, this sector employs approximately 2.2 million workers, of whom almost 80% are women (Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh, 2008 edition).