For developing a digital repository of the workers of export oriented RMG industry, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brac University (BracU), the leading private university in Bangladesh. With the presence of Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA and Professor Vincent Chang, Vice Chancellor (VC), Brac University, this MoU signing ceremony took place at the BGMEA PR and Media Office in Gulshan, Dhaka. 

Bangladesh Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector shares a history of almost four glorious decades, but comprehensive information on its employed workers is yet to bring together. Being a labour-intensive industry and having the importance of the labour force to ensure sustainable growth, it is essential to have an accurate, complete and credible data repository of the entire workforce of the RMG industry. 

Realizing this context, BGMEA and BracU have stepped to collaborate on this joint project. It is to be believed that the digital repository can be utilized to design significant interventions and to formulate policies for the workers’ well-being while contributing to Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021. 

“We believe that the MoU signing reflects the commitment of BGMEA for a sustainable RMG industry in Bangladesh and BGMEA’s vision for a healthy industrial eco-system”, expressed by the BGMEA President Faruque Hassan. “The digital repository will help to clarify misconception about the industry through empirical evidence” he added. 

“Brac University is delighted to be a part of such industry-academia partnership and can play a vital role in bringing research integrity through this collaboration”, stated by Brac University VC Professor Vincent Chang. 

Professor Dr. Rahim B. Talukdar, Adviser, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), BracU, remarked that “Through this digital repository, there will be knowledge and technology transfer between parties involved in the project.” 

As the new collaboration between BGMEA and BracU for the joint project on “Digital Repository of RMG Workers” is now official after the MoU signing, both parties are expecting the support from all the stakeholders for making this project a success. 

Shahidullah Azim, Vice President, BGMEA; Miran Ali, Vice President, BGMEA; Ms. Mahjabeen Quader, Senior Policy Advisor – Economic Affairs & CSR, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Ms. Naureen Chowdhury (Senior Programme Manager -Labor Rights, Laudes Foundation were also present at the occasion, among others.