The impact of manufacturing costs paid by global clothing brands on the safety and well-being of workers in the Bangladesh garment industry

Abstract

Almost eighty percent of Bangladesh’s export earnings come from the textile and apparel industry while creating thousands of jobs for its citizens, mainly women. The sector’s vital place in the economy is followed by persistent difficulties in worker safety, health, and happiness, which are often made worse by the strict cost expectations of global fashion brands. This research examines the way in which the cost objectives of overseas clothing brands affect the safety, health, and general welfare of workers in Bangladesh's garment industry. Using a mixed-methods approach, information is gathered from scholarly articles, government reports, publications from NGOs and databases internationally. It is clear from the findings that reducing expenses by global brands often causes harm to workers by affecting safety, income, and their well-being. It states that making products affordable often causes factory managers to relax their safety rules, which negatively impacts worker safety, adds to their pressure, and causes health problems. There are important gaps found in labor laws and CSR approaches, and CSR initiatives are not enforced effectively by the government. It is recommended that regulating bodies be strengthened, international efforts increase for labor standards, and more honest CSR programs be introduced to boost both worker safety and welfare.