The impact of coronavirus pandemic appears to have more devastating impact on independent garment manufacturing units – that are not affiliated to any trade bodies – compared to those that are either members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) or Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
As per a recent survey – Mapped in Bangladesh (MiP), a joint research initiative of BRAC University and C&A Foundation which is digitally mapping export-oriented garment factories in Bangladesh – around 240 of the total 448 RMG units that took part in the survey reportedly underlined that they have no work orders in the pipeline.
As of the remaining are concerned, on average, they reportedly have just two work orders.
It may be mentioned here that the survey was carried out to assess the impact of COVID-19 on garment manufacturing units that are members of neither BGMEA nor BKMEA, but form an important part of the country’s vibrant readymade garment industry.
