Automation in Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector has led to a 30.58% reduction in the total workforce across production processes, with helpers being the most affected group, according to a recent study.

The report, titled "Assessment of Technological Transition in the Apparel Sector of Bangladesh and Its Impact on Workers", highlights that while automation has significantly boosted economic growth and productivity, it has also created considerable challenges for RMG workers. The impact has been particularly severe on women, older individuals, unskilled laborers, and those with lower literacy or confidence.

The study, conducted by Solidaridad Bangladesh, Labour Foundation, and BRAC University, was presented during a dissemination ceremony held at Hotel Amarillo in Dhaka. Shahidur Rahman, professor at the Department of Economics and Social Sciences at BRAC University, presented the keynote address, mentioning that the research was carried out between August and October 2024 with support from Solidaridad Network Asia.

The findings revealed that sweater factories experienced the highest workforce reduction, with a 37.03% decline per production line, followed by woven factories, which saw a 27.23% decline. Among production processes, automation in cutting led to a 48.34% drop in workforce, while sewing recorded a 26.57% decline. Surveys of 429 workers from Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, along with key informant interviews with 26 stakeholders and four focus group discussions with workers, formed the basis of the study.

At the event, Shahidur Rahman raised concerns about the concept of "just transition," given the reduced need for workers due to automation. He emphasized the necessity of addressing this issue to ensure that workers are not left behind.

Speaking on the occasion, Miran Ali, a member of the BGMEA Support Committee, noted that worker efficiency in the RMG sector is often hampered by external inefficiencies such as power shortages, port congestion, and traffic. He stressed that resolving these issues would improve worker productivity and efficiency. He also highlighted the potential of partial automation to enhance worker productivity and safety without completely replacing human labor. Additionally, he recommended that the government incorporate automation within its own bodies, including the labour ministry, to improve efficiency across the board.

Sultan Uddin Ahmed, chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, underscored the importance of strategic planning to address the challenges posed by automation. He emphasized the need to determine how many workers could be retained in the sector and to develop strategies for effectively utilizing the existing workforce. “It is crucial to prepare workers to adapt to machines rather than allowing them to be overwhelmed by automation,” he said.

Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, speaking as the chief guest, acknowledged that automation is unavoidable for the RMG sector to remain competitive globally. He warned that failure to embrace technological advancements would harm the industry and the country’s economy. He urged workers to adapt to the changes and announced plans to establish an "Employment Department" aimed at better aligning labor market demand and supply.

The study’s findings call for a balanced approach to automation that prioritizes worker welfare while ensuring the industry’s global competitiveness.