Seventy-three per cent of respondents in the survey indicated a desire for a new machine, while 27 per cent indicated a dislike for one. Eighty-five per cent of workers reported that their work quota increased after they last got a new machine. Most of them indicated they did not get paid any more than before.
On the question of how they would describe their ability to meet the new work quota, once they were comfortable with the new machine, about two-thirds said it took less time to meet their quota; 29 per cent said it took about the same time and 5 per cent said it either took more time or they were not able to meet their new quota with the new machine.
The ‘Garment Worker Diaries’ project has been conducting weekly surveys of over 1,300 garment workers since April 2020. The June 2022 study was a follow-up to this investigation on how workers perceive automation, Bangladeshi media reported.
Thirty-five per cent of the workers mentioned that the new machines made it easier for them to do their work, while 18 per cent said the machines helped them produce better quality items. Eight per cent said the new machines gave them an opportunity to learn and gain new experience.
Overall, the share of garments workers reporting reasons for wanting a new machine are efficiency (44 per cent), easier work (16 per cent), better quality (16 per cent) and many other reasons.
Three-quarters of the survey respondents were women, which roughly represents the composition of the labour force in the RMG sector as a whole.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)
Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!
marketing@alchempro.com
