Published in The Daily Star on 24 October 2020
ROUNDTABLE
COVID-19 Impact on selected RMG factories and way forward
The Daily Star in association with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) organised an online discussion titled “COVID-19 Impact on selected RMG factories and way forward” on October 4, 2020. Here we publish a summary of the discussion. Speakers’ serial is maintained as per the flow of the discussion
Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem
Research Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
The guidelines followed by the factories to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have not been enough. This could have been due to a problem at the factory level or at the community level. Although the ILO or DIFE guidelines were very extensive, there might be loopholes within them which require attention. Work should be done at the local community level to prevent and treat COVID-19.
The workers are also facing an economic threat. There have been reports of workers not being able to find work after being laid off. We need to have a proper database to keep track of such workers along with data to find out the rate of unemployment amongst them due to COVID-19. There needs to be collaboration between the government associations and brand buyers to provide employment security of the workers. Job insecurity will further impact their economic and financial security and may also cause malnutrition.