The use of technology is constantly increasing in various industrial sectors of the country. Garment industry is also constantly incorporating new technologies. This increases the fear of workers becoming unemployed. In such a situation, this sector, which is the highest export earner, may be under threat. To overcome this, garment workers should be trained and skilled in the use of technology.
On the occasion of Great May Day at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Tuesday, the speakers said these things in a dialogue titled ‘Use of technology in the garment industry: a threat to workers or opening new doors of opportunity’. The dialogue was organized by Industry All Bangladesh Council (IBC).
Mahmudul Hasan Khan, Deputy Director of Program Branch of Bangladesh Labor Foundation, presenting the main article in the dialogue, said that the garment industry is currently suffering from political instability, inflation, changes in the behavior of brand-buyers, lowest wages, high production costs, factory safety issues and environmental risks, lack of skilled workers, Climate change and over-heating, lack of clothing diversity, inadequacy of own raw material industry and revision of labor laws are going through various hurdles.
He said, ‘When new technology comes into any industry, it is often a cause for concern. However, currently around 253 factories in the country are completing orders using the latest technology and equipment.
ZM Kamrul Anam, the senior vice-president of the organization, said in the president’s speech in the meeting, the use of technology has already started in the garment industry. Workers in this sector need training to use technology appropriately. For this, along with government initiatives, trade unions should also play a role. Care should also be taken that workers are not fired due to technology.
IBC general secretary Shahidullah Badal, former general secretary Qutb Uddin Ahmed, vice president Mir Abul Kalam Azad, co-president Shahidullah Bhuiyan, labor leader Tahmina Rahman and others also spoke in the dialogue.