International lobour Day:
Today is the May Day and International Workers Day. We celebrate on the first day of May to honor the contributions of the workers. Expressing my deepest respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by the workers and on this occasion in 1886, would like to extend my best wishes to all the workers around the world. We may aware the significance of the day, the International lobour Day/ Worker’s Day/May Day consider as same. To know more about the day please visit Wikipedia - International Labour day
The worker and the industry is very intertwined, integrated and interdependent. We always talk more about the industry and don’t talk much about the good part of the workers. So, my intension is to discover the untold story of the workers of Apparel Industry where worker’s making difference. So, would like to dedicate this post to the worker all around the globe on the occasion of International worker’s Day (1st May).
( Note: I am a HR Professional from the RMG industry and having a very long experience to work with the workers very closely. So, sharing my real life experience on workers.)
The RMG/Apparel Industry:
The Bangladesh apparel industry makes us pride in the global market by establishing the slogan “Made in Bangladesh” and succeeded second largest apparel manufacturer in the world. The industry already recognized as a major contributor to achieve economic prosperity of Bangladesh. So, the county already achieved strong economic advancement in the last couple of years and ensure a substantial growth in the National Income depending on apparel industry as a single biggest export earning of the country, 84% of total export earnings from the industry, which valued approximately 34.13 billion dollars contributing around 12% in national GDP. Also, around 4 billion labour force/workers are working in this sector under 4600 factories, where more than 75% are female workforce, where females are widely privileged.
Moreover, Today Bangladesh has been able to reach in the peak of economic prosperity mostly dependent upon apparel industry and the industry is thriving because of hard work, dedicated and enormous contribution of workers. Really proud for the workers of apparel industry, especially for female workers as they are totally incomparable. Also, Bangladeshi females are traditionally skilled in sewing and creative in cloth stitching as used to stitch their own cloths at home. Due to their creativity and hard work, they become a role model for the apparel industry.
Basic life of Workers:
The workers of apparel industry maintain a very simple life, their needs and demands are limited. The worker’s earnings spent on basics like food & house rent for the family members. As they have to lead life depending on low income, so hardly maintain an improved quality of family life.
Interestingly, in most cases Bangladeshi apparel worker’s family depending on their income. So, those families are totally woman depending as maximum workers are female. Here an example of woman empowerment and self-reliance has been established and recognized.
Recreational Life of workers:
Living into poverty, the workers are much more proactive in recreation. So, they are very much talented on extra curriculum activities and cultural performance, even they are also very good in various sports activities. Which may be comparable with professional performers.
In every garments factory in Bangladesh dedicate a day particularly for worker’s entertainment. This is day workers given opportunity to show their extra talents of cultural and games performance. This is the only day of aspiration & a day of longing in every year for the worker to enjoy the day on their own with many excitements to get relief from the tiredness of everyday work pressure.
It is mentionable that, the most of the RMG factory owner also very much progressive to consider a day for the worker’s happiness and motivation, where the underprivileged workers are privileged.
Workers celebrate the day in an extreme festival mood with enthusiasms and happiness. Their body language, smiling faces, wearing new & matching cloths reflects that how much happily they enjoy the day. The whole day plan for enjoy with a serious of cultural events like singing song, dancing, fashion show, drama, dress DJ with dancing and dress as wish etc. Also, the events planned based upon cultural heritage of Bangladesh. In addition to cultural events, special delicious feats are organized for the worker with variety of rich food menu. In most case the day ending up with Raffle draw & attractive prizes.
The day is being celebrated under different names in different factories, such as picnic day, annual cultural day, worker’s day, Fun Day etc. Beside this particular day, now a day’s workers celebrate various special tradition days i.e. bangla new year, English new year, valentine day etc. moreover arrange to participate cake festival, varies indoor & outdoor games.
Hope the efforts to keep the smile of work’s faces happy will be continued.
Some video link of workers enjoyment are added here, hope you will enjoy.
from Chittagong city,
