‘Dragon’ fear: Govt. will impart special training to garment workers

The alarm bells have been raised in the Commerce Ministry fearing China, manufacturing high value knitted garments, taking over its burgeoning demand for the product. Responding quickly, the ministry is now planning to impart special training to garment workers to meet the challenge.

Under the commitment, the ministry from its funds will train 1440 mainly ‘entry level’ workers each year and would also counsel them simultaneously on the working environment of the booming industry. Training will focus on technical know-how, skills, the factory environment, workers’ attitude and behaviour and security and cleanliness. Training will also focus on the operation of sweater machines, woven machines, knitting machines and quality control.

Garment industry, being the country’s main foreign currency earner, has a 25 per cent shortage of skilled workers. At present, four million workers are employed in the sector and one million more are needed to ensure the smooth running of the current production cycle. “We will also ensure placement for a trained worker,” informed Commerce Ministry spokesperson Monoj Kumar Roy.

The ministry after discussing with other stakeholders has entrusted the responsibility of training on the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Textile Directorate, the Handloom Board, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority and the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training.