The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh
Abstract Background There is a paucity of resources focusing on the climate change experience of readymade garment (RMG) workers in developing countries such as Bangladesh. Therefore, this mixed method approach aims to understand the distinctive types of climate change experiences from a health and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17165-7 |
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| author | Mohammad Hayatun Nabi Mehedi Hasan Anika Tasneem Chowdhury Farah Naz Mosharop Hossian |
| author_facet | Mohammad Hayatun Nabi Mehedi Hasan Anika Tasneem Chowdhury Farah Naz Mosharop Hossian |
| author_sort | Mohammad Hayatun Nabi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is a paucity of resources focusing on the climate change experience of readymade garment (RMG) workers in developing countries such as Bangladesh. Therefore, this mixed method approach aims to understand the distinctive types of climate change experiences from a health and occupational perspective, along with the consequences of these changes among RMG workers in Bangladesh. Methods The study was conducted from January 2022 and February 2022 where the quantitative data were collected from 200 RMG workers in 10 randomly selected garments and two focus group discussions took place with 20 conveniently selected RMG workers. The key informants were relevant stakeholders in the industry. Quantitative findings were reported using descriptive methods and qualitative findings were analysed using a content analysis approach. Result A total of 200 RMG workers were included in the study of which the majority belonged to the age group of 26–30 years (44%), were male (55%), worked in a compliant factory (70%), and were machine operators (79%). Half of the respondents experienced damage from natural disasters (51%), but only approximately 37% received humanitarian help. Migration and urbanisation were among the aftermath of the damage caused by e natural disasters, and 42% were forced to shift their homes due to natural disasters. Competition in the job market increased, and the owners had the opportunity to take on employees at a reduced salary. The respondents flagged climate change as a major contributor to their disease patterns. More than three-quarters of the respondents became sick because of increased heat while working; however, only half received any treatment. Conclusion Employee participation in hazard recognition, employer preparedness, prevention through design, research, surveillance, and upholding workplace ethics and standards can be the answers to climate change problems for readymade garment workers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:51:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-800a3c69ab94484895492896f47ce172 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:51:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-800a3c69ab94484895492896f47ce1722023-11-26T14:26:38ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-11-0123111110.1186/s12889-023-17165-7The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in BangladeshMohammad Hayatun Nabi0Mehedi Hasan1Anika Tasneem Chowdhury2Farah Naz3Mosharop Hossian4Department of Public Health, North South UniversityMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease ResearchDepartment of Public Health, North South UniversityDepartment of Physiology, Green Life Medical CollegePublic Health Promotion and Development Society (PPDS)Abstract Background There is a paucity of resources focusing on the climate change experience of readymade garment (RMG) workers in developing countries such as Bangladesh. Therefore, this mixed method approach aims to understand the distinctive types of climate change experiences from a health and occupational perspective, along with the consequences of these changes among RMG workers in Bangladesh. Methods The study was conducted from January 2022 and February 2022 where the quantitative data were collected from 200 RMG workers in 10 randomly selected garments and two focus group discussions took place with 20 conveniently selected RMG workers. The key informants were relevant stakeholders in the industry. Quantitative findings were reported using descriptive methods and qualitative findings were analysed using a content analysis approach. Result A total of 200 RMG workers were included in the study of which the majority belonged to the age group of 26–30 years (44%), were male (55%), worked in a compliant factory (70%), and were machine operators (79%). Half of the respondents experienced damage from natural disasters (51%), but only approximately 37% received humanitarian help. Migration and urbanisation were among the aftermath of the damage caused by e natural disasters, and 42% were forced to shift their homes due to natural disasters. Competition in the job market increased, and the owners had the opportunity to take on employees at a reduced salary. The respondents flagged climate change as a major contributor to their disease patterns. More than three-quarters of the respondents became sick because of increased heat while working; however, only half received any treatment. Conclusion Employee participation in hazard recognition, employer preparedness, prevention through design, research, surveillance, and upholding workplace ethics and standards can be the answers to climate change problems for readymade garment workers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17165-7Climate ChangeReady made Garment IndustryBangladeshClimate Change Impact |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Hayatun Nabi Mehedi Hasan Anika Tasneem Chowdhury Farah Naz Mosharop Hossian The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh BMC Public Health Climate Change Ready made Garment Industry Bangladesh Climate Change Impact |
| title | The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh |
| title_full | The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh |
| title_fullStr | The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh |
| title_short | The impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment (RMG) workers: an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in Bangladesh |
| title_sort | impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of readymade garment rmg workers an exploratory study in selected readymade garment factories in bangladesh |
| topic | Climate Change Ready made Garment Industry Bangladesh Climate Change Impact |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17165-7 |
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