At the sectoral level, RMG industry workers earn 19-22 per cent higher wage, reflecting stronger compliance regimes, formalised structures and higher skill intensity, the study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) showed.
The findings of the study, conducted on 3,005 workers across 20 industries in three districts surrounding Dhaka, were recently shared at the Annual BIDS Conference on Development in Dhaka.
Readymade garment workers in Bangladesh who are part of trade unions earn 10 per cent higher gross wages than non-unionised RMG and non-RMG workers, a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) has revealed.
Meanwhile, climate change is affecting production in garment factories in Bangladesh as rising temperatures reduce worker productivity, another BIDS study found.
BIDS research director Mahmudul Hasan said empirical results show an overall unionisation rate of 11.35 per cent, according to domestic media reports.
While part of this differential is attributed to greater experience and tenure among union members, the wage premium remains positive and statistically significant even after controlling for these factors, he was cited as saying by domestic media reports.
Meanwhile, climate change is affecting production in garment factories in Bangladesh as rising temperatures reduce worker productivity, another BIDS study found.
BIDS research associate Kazi Zubair Hossain said annual productivity growth in the garment sector reached 4.19 per cent between 2014 and 2023 due to technological improvements.
The study noted that climate refugees are increasingly taking up jobs in the garment sector. As their numbers rise, more may enter the workforce, which “may have negative impacts on wages”.
The study said climate pressures could heighten gender-based violence and harassment as productivity falls and socio-economic vulnerability increases.
Pressures to cut emissions may support environmental improvements in factories, although the shift to green energy in Bangladesh remains slow, it added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
