" Climate change worsens woes of RMG workers ", 26 July 2025

Most affected workers are women, whose livelihoods are threatened by rising carbon emissions, water pollution, heat stress, and frequent climate-induced disasters. A recent study by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) reveals that a majority of garment workers are already affected by sea level rise and environmental degradation.

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According to the BILS report, climate-related challenges such as floods, droughts, cyclones, declining agricultural productivity, pest outbreaks, and river erosion are among the key drivers of displacement. River erosion alone has displaced nearly 7% of the population.

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The study also found that more than half of RMG workers believe that environmental concerns are not being adequately addressed by local governments, the Department of Environment, employers, or private sector initiatives. Furthermore, two-thirds of the workers said they have no participation or say in climate-related policy decisions affecting their lives.

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About two-thirds of workers report that factory heat levels have increased, further straining health and performance.

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Ministry of Labour said, "We are focused on workers' rights, but now it's time to consider the loss of productivity due to climate change."

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They call on foreign buyers to share responsibility by paying a climate resilience premium to factories and workers.

"Are international buyers paying extra for the environmental cost" asked M Zakir Hossain Khan, a climate expert and Managing Director of Change Initiative. "They are only paying for the garment. It's time to add at least one dollar per shirt to support environmental sustainability."