The latest data published by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), shows the garment making industry in the country currently stands as the backbone of the country’s economy as it holds 82 per cent share of the total national export and accounts for 20 per cent of Bangladesh’s GDP with a turnover that exceeds $28 millions. More than 4 million people are employed in garment manufacturing among and 90 per cent women.
Figures reveal the impact of the sector on social fabric of Bangladesh to improve the working conditions in the ready-made garment industry. It needs investments and commitment to create a better productive pattern. This is what M&J Group has been doing everyday. It has been collaborating with local institutions to meet the growing global demand for higher standards in textile. By doing so, the company became a role model for peers and beyond.
Along with sustainable production methods the development of production efficiency, human resources enhancement is one of the core value of the M&J Group. And Genesis Fashion, one of its main enterprises, has been given the certification of Registered Training Organization by the Bangladeshi Government and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the framework of the Ready-Made Garment Center of Excellence project (COE).
The COE Project was designed to establish a replicable model of industry-driven training and support services Centre of Excellence for the Ready Made Garment sector in Bangladesh. The project, financed by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the fashion company H&M, is based on the fundamental principle that with an industry-based training focus, the initiative can effectively increase employability and drive higher incomes for the working poor.
As a model centre, Genesis Fashion demonstrated a sustainable, self-funded approach to coordinate training and labour market expertise and investment amongst a group of enterprises and training providers within the framework of Bangladesh’s skills and labour policies and institutions.
