BGMEA’S ENDEAVORS TOWARD THE BETTERMENT OF THE SOCIETY

§  Bangladesh was the second largest clothing exporting country in the world in 2010.

§  BGMEA successfully eliminated child labor from the RMG industry in 1995 and rehabilitated them through special schooling and earn & learn program. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) report 2009 shows that the garment industry of Bangladesh is absolutely free from child labor and forced labor.

§  BGMEA runs 12 health centers for the garment workers with its own resources in Dhaka and Chittagong. The centers provide pre-medical treatment and medicines for free and also conduct awareness raising program HIV/ AIDS and tuberculosis.

§  BGMEA is constructing 2 hospitals for workers, one 100 bedded in Chittagong and another 150 bedded at Dhaka. The one in Chittagong has started partial operation already through 50 beds.

§  BGMEA has made Group Insurance Scheme mandatory for the garment workers working in the member factories.

§  BGMEA provides labor arbitration facilities for garment workers at free of cost.

§  BGMEA has been providing stipends to the meritorious children of workers.

§  BGMEA runs 5 free schools of the workers’ children in Dhaka and Chittagong.

§  BGMEA organizes two worker fairs annually, one in Dhaka and another in Chittagong.

§  Organized annual musical talent hunt program ‘GORBO’.

§  BGMEA made mandatory for all its Members factories to follow the Building Code to set up factories.

§  BGMEA conducts regular fire drills in the member factories and runs awareness program on fire safety.

§  BGMEA jointly with the Government of Bangladesh provides financial support to the Lactating Mothers who are the female garment workers having children of 2 years or less.