Bangladesh’s garment makers’ apex body as it is, the BGMEA has always been at the forefront of new and path-breaking initiatives, which could help the apparel industry to achieve all-round growth.
With reference to the same, it has recently undertaken an endeavour towards the all-important aspect of environment, social and governance, popularly abbreviated as ESG as it continues to grow in relevance with experts terming ESG as the next growth driver of the industry, in the coming days.
Taking cognisance of the importance of ESG, BGMEA undertook steps to develop a digital database on it, so as to help achieve its 20 sustainable strategic goalsby 2030.
Of these 20 goals, seven are related to environment and governance each, while six are social by nature.
“An industry-wide initiative to create an ESG digital cloud-based data disclosure platform has been taken through which all BGMEA members will be disclosing their data on the platform,” underlines the President of the garment makers’ body, Faruque Hassan, elaborating further.
It may be mentioned here that BGMEA’s environmental goals include manufacturing half of the apparel products by using recyclable materials by 2030, reducing energy consumption and blue water footprint by 30 per cent and 50 per cent respectively.
Its social targets include 100 per cent gender equality, inclusive and decent work, the institutionalisation of skill development and creation of 6 million jobs by 2030.
In addition,the governance targets comprise achieving US $ 100 billion export earnings and 100 per cent data reporting, and raising productivity and efficiency by 60 per cent.
“Currently, we donot have any specific information on how many factories have solar panels or what they are doing to achieve the target of reducing 30 per cent carbon emission by 2030,” explains the Chairman of the BGMEA standing committee on sustainability Sheikh H M Mustafiz, adding, as part of this scheme, each of BGMEA members will provide information that would help understand their current status vis-a-vis the BGMEA’s 20 sustainable strategic goals.
The digital ESG database, expected to be launched by early 2023, will also give an idea about what measures are further required to achieve those targets, Mustafizadds.
To put in perspective, the prospects of Bangladesh’s exports to its second-largest apparel export destination of the European Union is critically dependent on ESG compliance, which is also gaining fast relevance in the world trade and investment landscape as well.
What’s more, if experts are to be believed, all the long-term sourcing decisions are now based on issues like workplace safety, labour conditions and environmental compliance as buyers are becoming more serious and stringent towards introduction of stricter environmental and ethical requirements and certifications, along with factory working conditions and workers’ safety.
Thanks to being home to the highest number of green garment factories globally, Bangladesh has already taken a massive stride in the realm of overall sustainability. But the RMG industry still has several additional ESG challenges to address.
Excessive water usage, weak labour standards and inadequate waste management are just to name a few, which experts believe will harm export prospects unless immediate and comprehensive remedial actions are not taken.
They have hence recommended enhancing ESG compliance, which can also help to attract the much-needed foreign investment, to give a further boost to the sector in terms of increasing competitiveness and consequently exports.
UNICEF joins force with garment makers’ bodies to give further boost to workers’ welfare and sustainability!
BGMEA is not alone in its endeavour towards sustainability and workers’ welfare.
To give a facelift to workers’ welfare and workplace safety, especially the women workers, who are considered the backbone of the industry, UNICEF has joined hands with the BGMEA and the other garment makers’ body of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association(BKMEA) to implement its much-appreciated initiative, Mothers@Work.
As the name suggests, it is primarily an effort to support garment factories to provide breastfeeding spaces and breaks for the working mothers.
However, Mothers@Work,apart from ensuring childcare facilities, will also focus on areas like paid maternity leave, cash benefits, health care, employment protection and a safe work environment for the working mothers and pregnant women.
The initiative gains further significance in light of evidences which show paid time off and support for breastfeeding and antenatal services not only contribute to healthier children, happier families and gender equality, but also improve workforce productivity and sustainable economic growth, the cornerstones for future growth and development.
The second largest clothing exporter in the world after China, Bangladesh apparel sector contributes about 11 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) even as of around 4 million workers, half are women of the reproductive age.
So, as the industry shifts gear to achieve greater maturity and excellence in apparel manufacturing and exports, a happy and productive workforce becomes pivotal and UNICEF’s initiative is only going to help the cause.
“It is imperative to keep the workplace safe and welcoming for mothers and pregnant women working in garment factories to protect their well-being and ensure that their children receive key nutrients necessary to support a baby’s healthy development,” meanwhile underlinesFaruque Hassan even as President of BKMEA Selim Osman, on his part, says, “We commit to building a conducive work environment for mothers in our knitwear sector, for the benefit of our workers, their children and for our businesses.”
Further emphasising on the importance of workers’ welfare,UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Sheldon Yett maintained providing targeted support for women in the workforce and ensuring women can earn a living, while also having the needed support to care for their children, is very critical and is an investment that benefits everyone.
Such efforts will only create a win-win situation for the stakeholders concerned, underlined industry players, to wind up on a positive note.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
