Journal of Public Health | Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 47–52 | doi:10.

1093/pubmed/fdaa126 | Advance Access Publication July 31, 2020

The impact of COVID-19 on Bangladeshi

readymade garment (RMG) workers
Humayun Kabir1,2 , Myfanwy Maple1 , Kim Usher1
1
School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia

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2
Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Address correspondence to Humayun Kabir, E-mail: hkabir@myune.edu.au.

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the potential impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the readymade garment (RMG) workers of
Bangladesh. It articulates the RMG workers’ existing vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic based on currently available evidence and
personal conversations/communications with RMG workers. COVID-19 has already impacted RMG workers’ health (both physical and mental
health status) and wellbeing, and resulted in loss of employment. We argue that the COVID-19 pandemic will have long-lasting effects on the
garment workers, especially related to their health issues, financial hardship and inability to pay for essentials such as food, and future
employment opportunities. The stakeholders (such as the international retailers/brands, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters
Association, Government of Bangladesh) responsible for the global supply chain RMG factories should reconsider the health and overall
wellbeing needs of the RMG workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords Bangladesh, COVID-19, crisis, health vulnerabilities, readymade garment workers, starvation

Introduction virus. Bangladesh, being a developing and overpopulated

Parents working in a garment factory located in Gazipur (near country, has made a slow start toward COVID-19 prepared-
Dhaka) had to sell their newborn baby, as they could not pay ness only declaring its first COVID-19 patients on the 8 March
the hospital bill of BDT 25 000 ($295). The father of the 2020.13 The late identification of COVID-19 infection in
newborn baby said that they could not manage hospital bills Bangladesh not only delayed preparedness to prevent and
as the garment factory, where both husband and wife used treat COVID-19 infections, but it also meant that those who
to work, was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in the country
However, the local police rescued the baby and returned it to have been more impacted by the disease. The RMG workers
their parents. of Bangladesh are one such group. These workers have
little or no education, are unskilled, have low socioeconomic
The above story was published on 2 May 2020 in one
and often rural backgrounds, and possess less bargaining
of the most highly regarded national daily newspapers (The
power, resulting in their identification as vulnerable.2,3,14
Daily Prothom Alo) in Bangladesh.1 It is just one example
This discursive paper explores the potential impacts of the
of the terrible toll COVID-19 has had on the readymade
COVID-19 pandemic on this recognized vulnerable group.
garment (RMG) industry workers in Bangladesh. RMG work-
The paper also outlines the current and longer-term impacts
ers were already established as a highly vulnerable group
of the COVID-19 pandemic on the RMG workers and
before COVID-19,2–7 with the evidence of heightened risk
identifies existing support systems.
being reported including the evidence of rape and suici-
dal cases (during lockdown), infections and deaths related
to COVID-19.8–11
COVID-19 poses a serious threat to global public health
in both developing and developed countries.12 Bangladesh is Humayun Kabir, Doctoral student

at great risk from this public health emergency due to its Myfanwy Maple, Professor
Kim Usher, Professor
insufficient preparedness to manage this potentially fatal

© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com 47
48 JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Discussion coronavirus (Female, age: 27, source: personal communica-

tion, 23 April 2020). Bangladesh, as many other countries, is
Due to the daily increase in the number of COVID-19 infec-
struggling to meet the ongoing needs of their large population
tions in Bangladesh, the [Government of Bangladesh (GoB)]
during the COVID-19 pandemic and is unable to provide the
declared a state of lockdown (closure of all public and private
support packages being offered in developed countries. As
offices) in the country from the 26 March 2020,15 which
a result, the COVID-19 lockdown and resulting economic
continued until 30 May 2020. As a result of the lockdown,
recession will lead to major loss of income for the working
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporter Associa-
poor who will be forced to leave home, break isolation guide-

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tion (BGMEA) closed their factories in line with the govern-
lines and risk infection in an attempt to find ways to feed their
ment’s lockdown instruction. In addition, clothing shipment
family. One RMG worker told us he had to sell vegetables in a
processes became problematic due to the increasing global
market as a way to help feed his family (Male, age: 30, source:
lockdown impacted by COVID-19, and while demand for
personal communication, 25 April 2020).
online purchases may have increased, supply chains could not
On 25 March 2020, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
continue to meet demand given changes to freight options. As
(Sheikh Hasina) announced a stimulus package of BDT
a result, ∼10 million working people, including RMG workers,
5000 crore ($587 925 000) for the export-oriented sector
returned to their home towns from Dhaka (the capital city
to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.20 She advised the factory
of Bangladesh, where the majority of the garment factories
owners to use this money to pay the wages of the workers
are located) as they would be unable to support themselves in
and employees. Unfortunately, the factory owners did not
Dhaka without work. Unfortunately, during the return jour-
pay the full wages to the workers for the months of March
ney safety measures related to the prevention of COVID-19
and April 2020 and did not pay outstanding wages on time,
such as maintaining minimum safe social distance from others
which forced thousands of workers to demonstrate on the
were not respected.16 Huge crowds were reported on buses,
street demanding their wages be paid in full.21,22 RMG
ferries and trains without maintaining personal protection,17
workers are performing work that brings billions of dollars
which represents a serious risk for infection transmission.
(over $30.61 billion of exports in 2017–18 financial year) to
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for these
the factory owners every year,23 yet the factory owners are
RMG workers is dire and include uncertainty about whether
not seen to stand beside them during this critical crisis period.
they will be entitled to wages during the COVID-19 pandemic
Some workers complained that they had not been paid for 2
and related issues such as lack of money for essentials such
months or more.
as food, and concerns about the re-opening of factories
Bangladesh is currently in the highest peak in terms of
during COVID-19 infection peak times. Other concerns are
infections and death rates. As of 7 July 2020, the total num-
the health risks due to lack of preventative measures in the
ber of infected and COVID-19-related deaths are 165 618
workplace, and the development of mental health condi-
and 2096 respectively.24 During the ongoing infection (while
tions due to the impact of the loss of employment and the
COVID-19-related infections and death rates are increasing),
fear of contracting COVID-19. These issues are discussed
the BGMEA suddenly declared that garment factories would
in this paper.
be re-opening from 26 April 2020 with the permission of the
government so that shipments of previously ordered clothing
Main findings of this study items could be completed.25,26 RMG workers were reportedly
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bangladesh contacted by the management of the factories and told if
Rural Advancement Committee conducted a national survey they do not return to work they would lose their jobs as well
(between 31 March to 5 April 2020) among 2675 respondents as any salary due. The return to work was made more diffi-
from low-income backgrounds and found that 14% of the cult as public transport was not available and no alternative
respondents had no food reserves at home, whereas 29% only transportation was provided to bring them from their home
had enough food for 1–3 days.18 With such shortages, and in villages, often in rural areas, to the factory location during
the lockdown conditions, starvation is a potential outcome of the lockdown. Therefore, workers had to arrange their own
COVID-19 for the vulnerable and those in the low-income means of travel to return to work, and these arrangements
bracket. Anthem19 warns of a potential hunger pandemic included using crowded trucks and small vehicles making
as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak that could them more vulnerable to infection transmission.
be the greatest humanitarian crisis since the World War 2. Returning workers were not informed whether they would
In Bangladesh, this is already a reality, as one RMG worker be able to maintain social distance at the workplace or
explained: We will die by starving before being affected by if they would have access to healthcare facilities in the
 THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON RMG WORKERS 49

case of becoming infected with COVID-19. It has already Millers, Autograph, W.Lane and Beme) is holding or canceling
been reported that social distance is not strictly maintained orders and delaying payment worth a total $15 million.36
inside the factories, and effective protective measures are This outcome has the potential to create joblessness and
not taken to protect workers.8,27 RMG workers inability lesser bargaining power for the RMG workers about wages
to practice physical/social distancing or access healthcare and other rights-related issues. It is already evident that >1
facilities increases the risk of COVID-19 infections for the million RMG workers have been dismissed from their jobs
entire population28 putting millions of lives at risk. New during the COVID-19 pandemic37,38 and RMG workers
infections and deaths of RMG workers have already been have marched on the street for reinstatement of their jobs.39

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reported after the re-opening of the sector. Research on Although the workplace may be unsafe, fear of losing jobs
COVID-19 infections among the RMG workers, conducted will eventually make them more voiceless in this already
by the ‘Bangladesh Garment Shramik Sanghati’, found that exploitative employment sector.14 Irregular wage payment
96 RMG workers have been infected by COVID-19 between has been a major problem in the RMG sector.40 Disruption
9 April and 6 May 2020.29,30 In addition, the deaths of to the existing supply chain may justify factory owners’ to
a number of RMG workers with undiagnosed fever and continue to pay their workers’ wages at irregular intervals.
respiratory symptoms have also been reported.10,11,31 Treatment facilities during COVID-19 may not be
RMG workers returning to the workplace fear infection accessible to the vulnerable, including the RMG workers
with COVID-19 because of the increasing amount of new of Bangladesh, because of high costs, fear of deportation
infections and the number of deaths that have been reported and discrimination.41 The existing support systems in
in the national electronic and print media. Perceiving the virus Bangladesh have already been questioned mainly due to
as severe has also impacted the mental health status of the the lack of treatment facilities such as COVID-19 testing
general public,32 and the individuals who are working during places, availability of testing kits and personal protective
this pandemic.33 Fear of becoming infected with or dying equipment for service providers and receivers. The GoB
due to the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact has already declared compensation/incentives (in case of
mental health,34 and the RMG workers are no exception. their infections and deaths related to COVID-19) for the
It is also worth noting that RMG workers’ mental health is government officials who are working on the front line during
also affected by the tensions about their future in this sector. the COVID-19 pandemic;42 however, no such declaration has
Unexpected outcomes, such as reported rapes and suicide been announced for the RMG workers in regard to factory
cases during the COVID-19 pandemic period, may impact re-openings.
female RMG workers’ mental health status into the future.
For example, one rape case and one suicide death by a female
RMG worker has been reported in the national daily news- What this study adds
papers during the COVID-19 pandemic period,9,10 which Although infection and death rates related to the current pan-
would definitely increase anxiety and fear for safety among the demic may be low in Bangladesh due to the relatively young
female RMG workers. population, it is important to focus on preparedness (avail-
able treatment facilities, human capacity, emergency response
What is already known on this topic system, etc.) of a specific country to reduce the risk of
The global supply chains have been disrupted during the developing this potentially fatal infection.43 Unfortunately,
COVID-19 pandemic. It is thus worth considering the longer- no such preparedness was observed before the re-opening
term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nature of the RMG factories by the state or BGMEA in order to
clothing supply chains. Clothing orders from the international protect the RMG workers from potential health risks. Rather,
brands/buyers have been canceled considerably since the the re-opening of the factories has been a purely economic
COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The ‘Centre for Global decision.
Workers’ Rights’ and ‘Worker Rights Consortium’ conducted The prevention of further transmission among the vulner-
a study on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Bangladesh able people is the main challenge for Bangladesh now. No
RMG sector on 27 March, with the participation of 316 doubt, state and factory owners have chosen the option of
Bangladeshi suppliers. The study reported that international protecting their ‘livelihood’ over the ‘lives’ of their workers by
brands and retailers have suspended clothing orders from making the decision to re-open the factories at a time when the
Bangladesh for up to $3 billion.35 From a country-specific COVID-19 pandemic remains at a serious level. Although the
perspective, ‘Mosaic Brands’, one large Australian retail European and North American countries are currently fight-
company (which owns Katies, Rivers, Noni B, Rockmans, ing the second wave of COVID-19 following importation,
50 JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

countries (such as Bangladesh) with a comparatively fragile understand the ‘on the ground’ situation in relation to what
healthcare system are in a state of public health crisis.43 is being reported in the paper located via search and media,
and all were not directly quoted/mentioned in the paper
Limitations of this study due to ethical restrictions. The authors wish to thank all the
To ensure social distance and self-isolation during the ongoing participants who generously shared their views and stories
COVID-19 pandemic, we avoided any kind of face-to-face during COVID-19 pandemic, which shaped this paper.
interactions with the RMG workers, relying instead on pub-
lished literature, and publicly available information. As these

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conditions change over time, similar and difference issues may Funding
emerge. The first author is in receipt of an Research Training Program
scholarship (funded by the Australian Commonwealth Gov-
Conclusion ernment).
As sufficient evidence is not yet available to determine the
lifespan of COVID-19 on various surfaces (such as fab- Ethics approval and consent to participate
ric, metal, plastic, etc.),44 it is possible that the virus may
be transmitted across the border if the clothes are made Not applicable.
by the COVID-19 infected workers. Therefore, Bangladesh
RMG sector requires urgent coordinated and effective actions
Conflict of interest
by all actors including global health communities, BGMEA,
international brands/retailers, the GoB, and the International The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Labour Organization to safeguard workers’ health and overall
wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the
health of people in other countries. In addition, the global References
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