Bangladesh’s garment sector has seen female participation drop to 53 per cent in 2023 from 56 per cent in 2014, according to a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). Women, who once made up over 80 per cent of the workforce, are increasingly moving to home textile and woven industries, while participation in jacket manufacturing has seen a sharp decline.

The study, ‘Technology Upgradation of the RMG Industries in Bangladesh,’ cites mechanization and gender-biased technological transitions as key factors. Automation has displaced 2.15-4.13 workers for every $1 million invested in new equipment, reducing roles in operations but creating opportunities in management and supervision. Additionally, second-generation workers show declining interest in factory work.

Another study revealed that Bangladesh could lose 10.8 per cent of garment exports by 2031 due to EU tariffs, which may rise to 9.6 per cent post-LDC graduation. This could shrink the GDP by 0.38 per cent and cause a 14 per cent drop in apparel exports.

Research highlighted intergenerational effects on workers’ education and the role of unions in improving wages and empowering women. However, the overall share of female leaders and manufacturing workers continues to decline.

These findings were discussed at the BIDS Annual Development Conference in Dhaka, with experts emphasizing the need for strategies to address automation, gender disparity, and post-LDC economic challenges.