Workers’ Organisations in RMG Enterprises: How to Address Institutional Challenges?

Abstract

The poor state of workers’ organisations at the enterprise level is the weakest part of a globally competitive readymade garment (RMG) value chain of Bangladesh. The situation did not improve even after undertaking various initiatives during the post-Rana Plaza period. These initiatives include the amendment of Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA), 2013, ratification of Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, facilitating the formation of elected participation committees (PCs) and providing registration to a considerable number of trade unions (TUs) in different RMG enterprises. This Policy Brief reviews the challenges of institutionalisation of workers’ organisations in the RMG sector and puts forward suggestions for better functioning of these organisations.