Dialogue highlights health and wellness for RMG workforce in Bangladesh

The speakers in a dialogue  ‘Fostering Health and Wellness of RMG Workforce’ organised by AYAT Education, a social enterprise in partnership with Integral Global Consultancy (IGC) and Bangladesh Garments’ Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) suggested ways and means to offer more on the health and wellness of its workforce for greater benefits of the sector, reports a press release.

Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, secretary of the Labour and Employment Ministry of Bangladesh, speaking as the chief guest emphasised the importance of good health of the workers, rallied on commitments from industry leaders, policymakers, buyers, and partners to embed workers’ wellness at the heart of the RMG sector’s long-term growth and global competitiveness. 

Md Inamul Haq Khan, senior vice president of the BGMEA, called upon collaboration of the broader community to support the sector in consolidating Bangladesh’s position amid strong competitiveness and frequent change of the global situation.

Maashed R Abdullah, director of Dressmen Group shared his factory experience that when workers get health support, ‘we see more smiling faces, more productivity’. Participants from BGMEA, Asia Foundation, ILO, industry leaders, buyers, and factory owners engaged in the lively discussions. Nusrat Aman, chief patron of AYAT Education, in her introductory note set the tone of the programme.

Jenna Buttolph, senior public health analyst, Integral Global Consultancy (IGC) spoke about the pilot project under BGMEA leadership implemented by AYAT Education that combines low-cost factory-based interventions with digital innovation.

The programme showcased lessons from this initiative, explored pathways to scale these practices across the industry, and rallied commitments from industry leaders, policymakers, buyers, and partners to embed workers’ wellness at the heart of the RMG sector’s long-term growth.

The panellists emphasised technology-driven solutions to support workforce well-being. Also spoke on the need to identify key policy actions and investment priorities that place workers’ health at the centre of efforts to boost industry productivity and maintain global competitiveness.