Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) of Brac University has started a project named Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB) under which its conducting survey on sustainability in the RMG sector its initial report found the sector largely compliant.
The ongoing survey has found that most of the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) factories are ensuring good social practices such as healthcare services, daycare centres, insurance, fair price shops and menstrual hygiene products for workers.
In its second phase, survey is identifing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices among the export-oriented apparel industries.The survey also found that some factories are also ensuring good environmental practices by installing solar energy and using energy-efficient LED lights.
Surveyors however pointed out that most of the factories were not willing to share information about governance issues, which may require more awareness. An official of CED said the second phase of a physical survey also has the aim to gather information about new factories, especially those that came into operation after 2020.
The CED signed separate memorandums of understanding with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters AssoTciation (BKMEA). Through these MoUs, both associations became “strategic partners” of the project and provided tremendous support for the collection of factory data from their member factories all over Bangladesh.
MiB already conducted a survey across the country but some regions still remain uncovered that include Gazipur, Narayanganj and Chattogram districts. The data from these regions will be collected by June 2024 according to CED official.
Earlier this map was mainly web-based. But considering that most users are using this map from mobile phones, we developed the app,” said Jabeer Sherazy, senior system development coordinator at BRAC University.
The second phase of the project, to be implemented by 2025, is funded by the Laudes Foundation and GIZ and supported by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The project has built a digital map www.mappedinbangladesh.org for export-oriented RMG entrepreneurs to showcase their products and skills to a global audience. With the help of this digital technology, MiB will help bridge the Bangladeshi RMG sector and international markets. MiB is also promoting transparency and traceability by digitising the supply chain of the apparel industry and visualising it to the world.
Bangladesh RMG sector making efforts to remain fully compliant
