Dipa Das

For decades, the readymade garment (RMG) sector has been the heartbeat of Bangladesh’s economy, making up over 80 percent of our export earnings and providing a livelihood to millions. However, as we stand on the threshold of our graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the very foundation of our success is meeting uncertainty. The "cheap labour" narrative that enabled us to become the world’s second-largest apparel exporter is no longer a sustainable strategy.

In Bangladesh, 96.6 percent of all employed females are engaged in informal jobs. Although women's participation in the labour force has increased from 36.3 percent in 2016-17 to 42.7 percent in 2022, it still lags far behind the male labour force participation rate of 80 percent. Female participation in formal and technical jobs remains significantly lower.

Bangladesh's economy has witnessed remarkable growth, solidifying it as one of the fastest growing economies worldwide. According to the Bangladesh Economic Review 2023, the construction sector significantly contributes to this growth—approximately 6.41 percent in 2023. Construction's share within the industry sector and growth is on the rise, with the growth rate increasing to 8.71 percent in FY2021-22, compared to 8.08 percent in FY2020-21.