Eighty percent of garment factory owners in Bangladesh plan to invest in automated machinery within the next two years, with automation expected to increase by over 13% during this period. While this will enhance efficiency and boost production by up to 22%, concerns about rising unemployment remain. Research presented by LightCastle Partners at a dialogue in Gulshan highlighted that, out of an average of 2,250 workers per factory, only 500 may be directly involved with automation, putting many jobs at risk.
The event, organized by LightCastle Partners and Policy Exchange Bangladesh, featured industry leaders and experts discussing automation’s impact on the ready-made garments (RMG) sector. Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj of The Asia Foundation emphasized the need for collective action to safeguard jobs. Zahedul Amin of LightCastle Partners stressed the importance of balancing competitiveness with worker well-being through upskilling and reskilling programs.
Speakers, including Dr. Ayub Nabi Khan from BUFT and PwC’s Shams Zaman, called for strategies to ensure the sector’s resilience amid technological advancements, such as integrating circular economy principles and enhancing job security for those affected by automation.
As the second-largest global exporter of ready-made garments, Bangladesh’s RMG sector contributes 10.35% to GDP and employs 4.1 million workers, 60% of whom are women. Urgent action is needed to protect workers while sustaining the industry’s growth.
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