Assaignment on Business and human rights issue

1. Business and Human Rights :
Introduction:
Human rightsare applicable toall,everywhere andinall sectors.Inrecentyears,the issue of humanrightsin
the businessworldhasgainedprominence.Ithasbeenwitnessedacrossthe globe thatmany business
initiatives,enterprisesandprojectshave causedimmense sufferingstopeople thatare tantamounttohuman
rightsviolations.Thishappenswhenthe privateorbusinesssectorabusesthe rightsof differentstakeholders
whichare eitherdirectlyorindirectlyassociatedwiththe activitiesof the businesssector.Here,itneedstobe
mentionedthat‘Humanrightsare rightsinherenttoall humanbeings,regardlessof race,sex,nationality,
ethnicity,language,religion,oranyotherstatus.'These rightsinclude the righttolife andliberty,freedomfrom
slaveryandtorture,freedomof opinionandexpression,the righttoworkand education,etc.Withoutany
discrimination,all humansare entitledtothese rights.Inthatsense,varioushumanrightsstandardsoughtto
be maintainedbythe private sector.Some of these includeissuesthatdirectlyaffectbusinesses'employees
and partners,the communityasa whole,andthe general humanrightsenvironmentinwhichabusiness
operates.Some of the issuesthatconcernhumanrightsand are importantto businessesinclude compliance
withlocal and international laws,satisfyingconsumerconcerns,promotingthe rule of law,buildingcommunity
goodwill, supply chain management,enhancing risk management, increasing worker productivity and retention,
and applyingcorporate values.
Earlier,the businesssectorusedtoaddresssuchissuesthroughtheircorporate social responsibility(CSR)
programmes.Butthe CSR activitiesdependedonthe choicesof the companiesandthose were predominantly
voluntaryinnature andthe humanrightsperspective wasmissing.The humanrightsapproachentails
companiestorespectall humanrights;there isno optionof pickingandchoosingtodeal withonlythose issues
that companieswanttodeal with.Inthissense,the humanrightsframeworkprovidesauniversallyrecognised,
people-centredapproachtobusinessestodeal withthe issues.Inthe areaof businessandhumanrights,the
United Nations (UN) has been playing a pioneering role by undertaking a number of initiatives. For this purpose,
the UN appointedaSpecial Representative forBusinessandHumanRightsforestablishingaWorkingGroupon
the issue.The processhasproducedthe ‘UnitedNationsGuidingPrinciplesonBusinessandHumanRights'
(UNGPs).Itis an instrumentconsistingof 31 principlesrequiredtoimplementthe ‘Protect,Respectand
Remedy'frameworkonthe issue of humanrightsconcerningbusinessenterprisesaroundthe world.The
guidingprincipleswereendorsedbythe UN on June 16th, 2011, makingthe frameworkthe universalcorporate
humanrightsresponsibility.The "GuidingPrinciples"consistsof three pillarsoutlininghow statesand
businessesshouldimplementthe framework.These are state dutiesto protecthumanrights(protect),
corporate responsibilitytorespecthumanrights(respect),andaccessto remedyforvictimsof business-related
abuses(remedies).The firstpillarentailsthatitisthe dutyof the state to protecthumanrightsthrough
regulation,policymaking,investigation,andenforcement.Thisresponsibilityof the state isverymuchinline
withthe Universal Declarationof HumanRightsthatwas adoptedbynumerousnationsin1948. The second
pillardealswiththe responsibilityof the businesssector.Itmakesita dutyfor businessestooperate insucha
mannerthat theiractivitiesdonotinfringeonthe rightsof others.Itevengoesbeyondthatinthe sense that

2. businessesare alsoexpectedtoaddressanynegative impactsof theiroperations.The twopillarsestablishthe
responsibilityof bothstatesandbusinessesorprivate sectorstoupholdandprotecthumanrights.On the
otherhand,the third pillarincludesboththe states'responsibilitytoprovide accesstoremedythrough judicial,
administrative,andlegislativemeans,andthe businesses'responsibilitytopreventandtake remedial
measuresincase of any infringementonthe rightsof otherstakeholders.Inthiscase,the establishmentof an
effectivegrievance mitigation systemisimportant.
Objectives :
The researchhas the followingobjectives:-
To discussaboutthe backgroundand currentsituationof businessandhumanrights
To sort out the problemsandbarriersof businessandhumanrightsissue
To findoutsome recommendationsforbusinessandhumanrightsissue
Methodology:
The presentstudyexploresthe businessandhumanrightsissue inBangladesh.Itisexploratoryinnature based
on a qualitative approach.The studyalsousescontextanalysisandsurvey methodsforcollectingdataand
information.
Background:
Background of RMG Sector in Bangladesh:
The foundationof textilesectorwasfirstestablishedinthe 60th decade of 19th century.Forthe firsttime,the
industryexportedshirts(Mercuryshirt) tothe Europeanmarketin1965-66, whichwas producedfromKarachi.
In the latter,9 exportingindustrieswereavailablein1977-78. The three largestindustriesinthattime were
RiazGarments,Jewel GarmentsandParisGarments.Amongthose,RiazGarments wasthe most famousand
oldestindustryinthattime.
In the earlierstage,RiazGarmentsof MohammadReaz Uddinstarteditsbusinesswithsome tailoringshopin
the name of Riazstore.In the later,the name turnedintoRiazGarments fromRiazstore in1973 and from1978

3. the companystartedexportingproductsinthe abroadby exporting1millionpiecesof shirtsinthe South
KoreanCompanynamed“Olanda”.“DeshGarments”isanotherpioneerof BangladeshRMGsector.In 1979,
DeshGarmentsstarteda jointprojectwithSouthKoreancompany“Daiyuu”.
At the same time,several garmentswereintroducedsuchas-StylecraftlimitedbyShamsurRahman,Aristocraft
LimitdbyAM SubidAli,AzimGroupbyEngineerMohammadFazlul AzimandSunmanGroupbyMajor (Retd)
Abdul Mannan.
By followingthe beginnersof RMGsector,some othersdiscreetandhard-workingentrepreneursstartedtheir
RMG businessinthe country.Fromthere,RMG sectorof Bangladeshwasdevelopingdaybyday andnot
neededtolookback.Thoughthissectorhad passedvariouscritical stagesthroughthe path.In that time,we
learnedaboutchildlabour1994 and in1995 we made our garmentsindustryfree fromchildlabourvery
successfully.
Background of Child Labour in Bangladesh :
Social norms and economic realities mean that child labour is widely accepted and very commonin Bangladesh.
Many familiesrelyonthe income generatedbytheirchildrenforsurvival,sochildlabourisoftenhighlyvalued.
Additionally,employersoftenprefertoemploychildren because theyare cheaperandconsideredtobe more
compliantandobedientthanadults.Whenchildrenare forcedtowork,theyare oftendeniedtheirrightsto
education, leisure and play. They are also exposed to situations that make them vulnerable to trafficking, abuse,
violence andexploitation.Millionsof childrenare reportednottoattendschool,howeverestimatesvary.
Amongchildrenaged5-14, aboutfive million,are economicallyactive.“Childlabour”isanarrowerconcept
than “workingchildren”. Accordingtothe International LabourOrganisationdefinition(right),there are about
3.2 millionchildlabourersinBangladesh1.Certaingroupsof childrenare more likelytoworkthanothers,for
instance boyscomprise aboutthree-quartersof all working children.Inslumsalmostone infive childrenaged
5-14 are childlabourers,andof these,only25 percentattendschool2.Rapidurbanisationmeansthatmore
childrenwill moveintourbanslumsandbe compelledtowork.Childemploymentratesincrease withage,but
evenabouttwoper centof five-year-oldsandthree percentof six-year-oldswork3.Childlabourisavisible
part of everydaylifeinBangladesh:youngchildrenserveatroadside teastalls,andweave betweencarsselling
goodsto motorists. Otherchildrenworkinjobsthatare hiddenfromview,suchasdomesticwork,which
makesmonitoringandregulationdifficult.Onaverage,childrenwork28 hoursa weekandearn 222 taka (3.3
USD) a week4.Manyof the jobsthat childreninBangladeshperformare consideredhazardous‟,andputtheir
physical andmental developmentatrisk.The UN Committee onthe Rightsof the Childexpressedconcernin
2009 that manyBangladeshi childrencontinuetoworkinfive of the worstformsof childlabour,namely
welding,autoworkshops,roadtransport,batteryrechargingandtobaccofactories5.The Committee also
raisedconcernsaboutthe lack of mechanismstoenforce childlabourlawsormonitorworkingconditions,and
insufficientpublicawarenessaboutthe negative effectsof childlabour.
Background of Import-Export In Bangladesh :

4. 1971 was a monumental yearforBangladesh.Thiswasthe yearwhenitattainedindependence fromPakistan,
and beganformingpoliciesof itsown,whichwere more orientedtowards development,ratherthanfocused
on military dominance over India. Unlike Pakistan, Bangladesh has maintained good relations with its neighbors,
whichensuredthatthe countrycouldallocate itspreciousresourcestowardsdevelopmentof itsown
population. However,the anti-capitalistpoliciesof the pre-independence eracontinuedtohauntthe nation
duringthe initial yearsof itsexistence,resultinginthe suffrage of trade,bothinternallyandexternally.
In the late 1970s, whenDaewooenteredthe country.Itwasone of the firstforeigncompaniesthatinvested
heavilyinBangladesh.Daewootrainedalarge numberof youthinthe country,whonow had the skillssettobe
employedinthe manufacturingindustry.Manyof these earlyemployeesof Daewoowent ontostart theirown
textile manufacturingplants.The governmentwasquicktotake notice of thistrend,andbring outreformsto
promote suchbusinesses.These earlyentrantsintothe manufacturingindustrylaidthe foundationfora
thrivinggarmentindustrythatwasto become the growthengine andsocial developmentdriverforthe entire
country. The value of importsdoubledbetween1971 and1991 as comparedtothe value of exports.The
trade deficithasdeclinedconsiderablyowingtoanincrease in exportssince 1991. A closerlookat the trade
statisticsof the countryrevealsthatin1989-90, importsexceededexportsby120%.This percentage came
downto 56% in1996 and 62% in1997. The economyof Bangladeshwasonce ridingonjute,itsmajorproduce.
In the late 1940s, its share of the worldjute exportmarketwas80%, whichcame downto 70% inthe 1970s.
Unfortunately,the trendof polypropyleneproductsacrossthe globe ledtoa setbackforthe jute industryof
Bangladesh.
Background of Industrialization in Bangladesh:
Bangladeshisbornon the backdropof perfectindustry.Atthe time of hisbirth,he wasso poorin the industry
that almostall the industrial productsthathadto be importedfromabroad.Althoughhe hasthe exclusive right
to jute,leatherandotherrawmaterials,he wasforcedto exportbothjute toothercountriesandbuyfinished
productsmade from hisraw materialsfromthem.Toadd to the disadvantagesof thistragicpositionthat
lastedformanyyears at a time,itspopulationwasturningtofarming,itswealthypeople,averysmall number,
turningto trade,and noideaaboutthe industry.Above all he lackedthe natural advantagesthathelpedthe
developmentof the industry.Ithasno coal fields,noironmines,nooil reserves,andnonatural sourcesof
energy.Andwithsomanyobstaclesandfew advantages,Bangladeshhasbeenastonishedbythe soundof its
industrial progressinlessthantwentyyears.The governmentof Bangladeshplayedanimportantrole inthe
developmentof the industryinthiscountry.Atfirst,itcame forwardinvitingrichpeopletoinvestmoneyin
industriesthatprotectandpatronize the state.Industrial corporationshave takeninitiativetoorganize alarge
numberof importantindustrieswhere investmentistooheavyforthe individual.Some foreigncapitalswere
invitedandinterestingbenefitswere offered.Providingnational capital Manyopportunitiestoencourage
national capital investment.A researchlaboratoryhasbeensetuptotestraw materialsandimprove the
qualityof local products.A strong campaignhas beguntofindnew mineralsandsome of the mostimportant
discoverieswe have made.Asaresultof thissignificantandconcertedeffortoverthe years,Bangladeshcan
nowboast of owninga large numberof importantindustries.Ithasseveral jute mills,fertilizers,steel mills,
textile mills,papermillsmachine tool factories,electrical industries,several sugarmills,leatherindustriesand
cementfactories,all of whichare verylarge insize,productionandinvestment,andalso,onaverage,in
differentregionsof the country.More thana few hundredsmall andmediumindustrieshave emerged.

5. Mentionourcreationof the garmentindustrysothat large foreignexchangesimage andemployalarge
numberof unemployedmenandwomen.The physical hydroelectricprojecthasbeendevelopedalongwith
the powerplantssetup inGohar to solve the powerproblemandtheyare providingaffordableelectricity
throughoutBangladesh.
Fuel isthe most importantaspectof our development.Natural gasisabundantinthe easternpartof the
country.Many industriesare poweredbygas.If usedproperly,theycanprovide alotof powerfor the industry
to be born inabsolute vacuum.Bangladeshismovingforwardinthe fieldof industrial development.Properly
utilizingall sourcesof energywill greatlyincreaseitsspeed.Andthenthe dreamof buildingtheircountryas
one of the richeststatesof the people of the worldwill be realized.Anarticle publishedinThe Joomlaof
EuropeanEconomicHistoryin12 statesthatthe index of industrializationpercapitainGreaterIndiafell from7
to 2 in1950–1313, on the basisof that index inGreatBritain,far away.Duringthe Industrial Revolution,the
industrialistswere probablydisappointedwiththe colonial period.
Afterthe departure of the Britishin1947, there was nooptionto concentrate onagriculture infood-scarce
countries.Accordingly,the governmentof Bangladeshmovedtowardsasocialisteconomictransformationto
breakthe peripheral dominationof capitalismincapital.More thana thousandindustrial andanhadone
propertieswere broughtundergovernmententity.
Afterthe partitionof Pakistanduringthe partitionof Pakistan,EastBengal inheritedasmall partof the art of
Bengal.EastPakistancouldnot find108 jute mills,18iron andsteel millsand16 papermillsinBengal.Of the
389 cottonmillsof Bengalaitem,90fell,10 out of its 166 sugar millsand3 out of 19 cementfactoriesfell tothe
territoryof East Pakistan.Had torelyon limestonesuppliedfromSylhetfactory, Sylhet'sAssam, Ind.The
cotton millsof EastPakistanhadto relyon importedraw materials.Inthe censusof 3, itwas revealedthatin
East Pakistan,there were 1,220 non-agricultural non-agricultural laborers,5skilledlaborerswereemployedin
the industrial productionsector,1,3were minedandminedand12,222 professionalpersons.Mainly,atotal of
222,755 persons(6.67 %%of the total laborforce) were employedinthe manufacturingsectorcomprisingthe
Food,Beverage andTobacco ProcessingUnits,of which1,3 were involvedinthe Dell Mproductionprocessand
172,727 inthe subsidiaryactivities.Therewere atotal of 360 cottage enterpriseswhichemployed 1,774
people.About200 enterprisesinproductionunitsuse.
However,afterthe assassinationof SheikhMujiburRahman,the state policyof socialismquicklyvanished.
Thinkingaboutadditional employment,inefficiencyof management,corruptionandheavy financial loss,state-
ownedenterpriseswereprivatizedinthe nextpolicywhenreinvestedinanILO study..The new government
rejected255 SOESs between1975-81.
Current Situation:
Current Situation of RMG Sector in Bangladesh:
In RMG sectorof Bangladesh,there are more than5000 garmentfactories(private statistics) atthe current
time,employingmore than12 lack labours,where 85% of the labourforce iswomen.But,accordingto BGMEA
the numberof garmentfactoriesinBangladesharound4000. Now, RMG industryisthe countrieslargest
exportearnerwiththe value of over$24.49bn of exportsinthe lastfinancial year.Itsagreat newsforus that,

6. BangladeshisclearlyaheadfromotherSouthAsiansuppliersintermsof capacityof the readymade garments
industry.
Though,there are varioustypesof garmentsare manufacturedinBangladesh,butall the readymade garments
are classifiedintotwobroadcategories,whereone iswovenproductsandanotherone isknittedproducts.
WovenproductsincludesShirts,PantsandTrousers.Onthe otherhand,knittedproductincludesT-Shirts,Polo
Shirts,Undergarments,Socks,StockingsandSweaters.Wovengarmentsstill dominatesthe exportearningsof
the country.FromBGMEA website itsseenthat,Daybyday knitteditemsproductionisincreasingin
considerable rate andnowabout40% exportearningshasachievedfromknittedproducts.
The role RMG sector inBangladesheconomyisremarkable.It’sseenthat,fromthe lastdecade,RMG sector
contributestothe national economyinconsiderable rate.About76% of total exportearningscome fromRMG
sector.From a statisticsit’sknownthat,inFY 2003-04 RMG sectorof BangladeshearnedUS$ 5,686.06 million,
inFY 2004-05 the value wasUS$ 6,417.67.67 million,inFY2005-06 the value wasUS$ 7900.80 million,inFY
2006-07 the value wasUS$ 9,211.23 million,inFY2007-08 the value wasUS$ 10,699.80 million,inFY2008-09
the value wasUS$ 12.35 billionandfinallyinFY2013-14 the value standsat $24.49billion
Bangladesh isthe secondlargestexporterof ready-made garmentsinthe world,afterChina.Thegrowthof the
industryhasbeendramatic.Inthe 1983-4 fiscal year,BangladeshexportedgarmentsworthjustoverUS$31.5
million,andemployed120,000 workersin384 factories.By2013-14 itexportedgarmentsworthmore than
US$24 billion,andemployedsome 4millionworkersin4,536 factories.Garmentsaccountforalmost80 percent
of the country’sexportearningsandcontribute more than10 percentof GDP
Accordingto the industry’smostpowerfultrade body,the BangladeshGarmentManufacturersandExporters
Association(BGMEA),factorieshave playedanimportantrole inalleviatingpovertyinBangladesh“through
skillsdevelopmentandemploymentgeneration.”More than20 millionpeople dependdirectlyandindirectly
on the industry,accordingtothe BGMEA.[4] Eightypercentof the workersare women.[5] Accordingtothe ILO
“the industryisthe major driverof Bangladesh’sdevelopment.Mostworkersare womenfrompoor
backgroundsforwhomjobsin the RMG sectorare a lifeline outof poverty.Continuedgrowthof the garment
industryiscritical foreradicationof povertyinBangladesh.”
Current Situation of Child Labour in Bangladesh :
In Bangladeshchildworkersare less expensive thanadultworkers.Manyemployersconsiderchildrencapable
of hardwork,easyto control,and lessdemanding.Somereservedirtyorlow statusworksforchildrenbecause
adultsare unwillingtodothem.The ratesof childlaborare higheramong boysthan girls(17.5% vs. 8.1%) and
slightlyhigheramongchildrenlivinginrural areasrelative tothose inurbanareas.Childlaborisalso
exceptionallyhighinthe indigenouscommunities(18%).About45% of childlaborersdonotattendschool.A
large proportionof children’sworkssuchasdomesticwork,commercial sex work,andsmugglinginBangladesh
are hiddenandtherefore unlikelytobe capturedinthe official figures.Childrenalsoprovide servicesthatare
unlikelytobe definedaswork,such ashousework,caringforyoungerchildren,runninghouseholderrands,
collectingwaterandfuel wood,lookingafterlivestock,andcontributingtohouseholdcropproduction(UNICEF

7. 2009).In Bangladeshpovertyisthe mainreasonof childlabor.Povertyis stronglypositivelycorrelatedwith
childlabor.Free andcompulsoryeducationof goodqualityuptoage 20 yearto enterintoemploymentisakey
tool inpreventingchildlabor.Povertyismultidimensional andcanbe consideredfromdifferentperspective.
The childrenof poorfamiliesof Bangladeshsufferfromhungerandmental agonywhichharmsa child’s
development.Some of the childrenfromthesefamilieshave togoinworks insteadof goingtoschool,whichis
againstchildrights.About40% of the siblingsandthe childreninBangladeshare earningmembersof the
family.Theyare involvedinunskilledmanual workslike rickshaw-pulling(17%),daylabor(18%),transportwork
(12%),agricultural activities(10%) etc.ChildlaborisdeclininginothersouthernAsiancountriesbutithasbeen
increasinginBangladeshwhichisafailure of bothGoBand civil society(Mohajan2012a). Cain(1977) first
focusedonchildren’sworkactivityinrural Bangladesh.He studiedthe economiccontributionsof childrento
the householdeconomyandattemptedtodetermine theirproductivitywhile livingassubordinate membersof
theirparents’household.He foundthatchildreninrural Bangladeshcontribute totheirfamily’sincomeas
earlyas five yearsof age.The GoB estimatesthatabout6.6 millionchildrenwhoseagesare between5and 14
yearsworkin varioussectorsof the 22.8 millionworkplaces(Khair2005).Workingchildrenwere found
engagedin200 differenttypesof activities,of which49were regardedas harmful tochildren’sphysical and
mental well being.Childworkersrepresentabout12% of the total laborforce of the country.Many child
workersare not paidregularwagesandsometimesare paidverylow wages.Mostof the casesthe girl workers
are notpaid andthe employersonlypayfoodof low qualities,especiallyindomesticworksinrural areas.The
emergence andwidespreadof garmentindustryinBangladeshduringthe 1980s andchildlaborincreased
alarminglyinthisindustry.In1990s garmentfactoriestoppedthe listwiththe highestnumbersof child
laborers,thenthe USA and otherforeignbuyersrefusedtoimportgarmentsfromBangladeshaslongaschild
laborwas beingusedbythisindustry.Afterthissituationthe BangladeshGarmentManufacturersand
ExportersAssociation(BGMEA) signthe Memorandumof withInternational LaborOrganization(ILO) and
UNICEF.Accordingto agreementabout50,000 childrenwere dismissedfromgarmentfactoriesimmediately
but laterthese dismissedchildrencompelledtojoininmore hazardousandexploitativeoccupationsthanthe
garmentindustry(Rahmanetal.1999). Some of the dismissedgirl laborerswere victimof childmarriage and
some were traffickedinthe Middle East,India,Pakistanandothercountiesof the world,some tookthe
domesticworksandothersbecame laborersinthe riskyandmore difficultjobsandthe BGMEA or the
Governmenttooknostepsto assistforthese dismissedpoorlaborers.Anincreaseinworkinghoursincreased
the likelihoodof healthcomplications,childrenworkinginmore hazardoussectorsface more healthproblems
than those workingincomparativelylesshazardoussectors,andchildrenthatenterintoworkatan earlyage
face more healthcomplicationsthanthose are enteringworkatanolderage (Mamunet al.2008).Many child
workersactuallylike theirworkandtake a lot of pride inwhat theydo,thoughmanyof themdo notrealize the
negative long-termeffectsof theirearlyworkhas(Ehsan2001).Of the total childworkers,2.89% are engaged
indomesticservices.The girl domesticworkingchildrenare alsosubjectedtosexual abuse,harassmentand
torture.If moneyor any valuable thingsorornamentsare missing,firstthe blamescome tothe domestic
workersandare torturedmercilessly. Mostof the casestheyare innocent.The domesticworkingchildrenhave
to workfrom morningtomid-nightwithoutanybreakandfindverylow qualitiesof foodandalsoverylow
qualitiesof dresses.SHOISHOB,anorganizationworkingwithchilddomesticlaborinBangladesh,estimates
that there are between250,000 and 300,000 residentchildservantsinDhakacityandmore than20% of child
domesticworkerswere between5and 10 yearsold.Inthe constructionindustryinBangladesh,childrenare
used in stone breaking. In the construction or welding sectors about all employers eager to employ the children,
as these riskyworksare oftenavoidedbythe adultswithlow wages.Itisestimatedthat30% of construction

8. workersare children.The total numberof Biri (cheaprate cigarette) factorychildlaborersis15,544, where
usuallytheyhave toworkfrommorningto 11 pm.
Current situation of Export and Import in Bangladesh :
Foreigntrade isof vital importance tothe economicdevelopmentof Bangladesh.The country'simportneeds
are large and the imperative toincrease exportsisimmediate.Inordertofinance those importsandalsoto
reduce the country'sdependence onforeignaidgrants,the government,since liberation,hasbeentryingto
enhance foreignexchange earningsthroughplannedandincreasedexports.The significance of foreigntrade to
the economyismanifestinanumberof facts and figures.
At present,majorexportsare rawjute,jute goods,tea,leather,frozenfishandread-madegarments,while
majorimportsare capital goods,foodgrains,petroleumandoil,yarnandtextiles.ImportsinBangladesh:
decreasedto328.31 BDT BillioninAugustfrom382.96 BDT BillioninJulyof 2019. Importsin Bangladesh
averaged83.21 BDT Billionfrom1976 until 2019, reachingan all time highof 465.30 BDT BillioninJanuaryof
2019 and a record lowof 0.57 BDT BillioninNovemberof 1976.Exports inBangladeshdecreasedto222.92 BDT
BillioninAugustfrom279.82 BDT BillioninJulyof 2019. Exportsin Bangladeshaveraged48.98BDT Billionfrom
1972 until 2019, reachingan all time highof 279.82 BDT BillioninJulyof 2019 and a recordlow of 0.05 BDT
BillioninFebruaryof 1972.
Current Scenario of Industrialization in Bangladesh:
Indeed.The newindustrial policyof 1982 encouragedcapitalismandprivatized222 SOESsuntil 1986
Nevertheless, the finance ministry estimates that the loss of SOES in 1987 increased to 3.8 billion ($ 120 million)
to the next,withthe goal of revisedindustrialpolicyforeignpolicy.EncouraginginvestmentToencourage
incentivesfortrade andprivate investors.
However,asthe privatizationpolicycontinued,the lossof SOESincreasedtoTk1 crore ($1305 million) inthe
firstfive years.Since itsestablishmentin1993, the PrivatizationCommissionhassofarprivatized74 SOESs.On
the otherhand,since the Board of Investmentstartedin1989, private investmenthasencouraged.
Furthermore,the industrial policiesnowfavormore than20 percentof the domesticproductionof grass,with
industrial policiesfavoringaprivate sectormarket-orientedindustrial developmentafter1999 and 28. About
one percentsince the mid-1970s,according to BangladeshEconomicReview.Itssub-sectorsare excavationand
excavation,production,construction,andelectricity,gasandwater.The largestsub-sectorremainedat17.1
percent of GDP, but growthwas unsatisfactoryuntil the decade of 2015, withcompoundingratesof only0.7
percent, probablydue tolackof confidence amongthe capitalists aboutinvestmentprotection.However,the
private sector-ledindustriesmarkedadouble-digitgrowthinthe mid-2000s.The topparallel incapital
equipmentimportsfrom$ 314 millionin1999-2000 to $ 1929 millionin2006-07. Furthermore,othersub-
sectorsexperiencedone Average growthof overpercentduringthe lastdecade.The currentprivate sector
dominatedindustrywill dominatethe economyin2021, withEliastcontributing5percentto GDP. Visionwas
envisionedin2021. Meanwhile,ready-madegarmentsbecame the largestmanufacturingsectorwitha
productionof 2.5 millionpieces,accordingtothe BER of S6666 millionin1995. The QuantumIndex of
Industrial Productionmeasuresthe contributionof differentindustriestothe unit.House year'sQIPforRMGs
reached6.41.3. The sectorsthat have performedwell are 297,000 metrictonnesof pharmaceuticalswithQIP

9. 1075.30, producing451 millionbottlesof cementproducingQIP555.44 with29 millionmetrictonsof QIP
83642 drinks.These industriesbegan privatelywithoutthe inherentpublicred-tape regulationsandgained
momentumfromfinancial andfinancial incentives.Also,natural gasproductionincreasedto19.6 billionm3
withQIP451.06 and cotton yamwithQIP 369.24 increasedto181,000 megatons. Aside fromthe above,the
private sector-ledsoapanddetergentindustrieshave done betterthantheyreflectedfromtheirQIP.Onthe
otherhand,textiles,fertilizers,sugarandjute productsmade of leatherandfinishedleatherfaucetwerealso
seenweakinthe 2000s, as theyhave the combinedeffectof slow deregulationanddeep-seatedgomes
problems.
However,fewindustrieshave developedunderthe private sector.Allpublicefforts,liberalizationand
aggressive incentivepackages(ie tax deductions, tax holidays,exemptiondutyonequipmentimports,invested
capital and expatriatesonprofits,etc.)failedtoincrease investment.Local capitalistswere alsounsureabout
investinginhomes.Infact,manyof themwere reportedtohave beeninvolvedwith capital aviationinthe
sixties.Further,manyindustrialistsusedtomanage offshoredepositaccountslike STandbusinessSwissbanks.
Failure tobridge the gap betweendomesticandforeignprivate investorswasamajor factorin slow
industrialization. Butspecial incentivesforforeigninvestmentandexportorientedindustriesprotectalarge
influx of foreigninvestmentintoexportprocessingzones.Atthe endof the period0-6,approximatelyS1.805
millionwasinvestedineightEPZsfromsix countries.The BERstatesthat EPZS now has eightindustrialunits
operatingand42 unitsunderconstruction,two-thirdsof whichare relatedtoclothing.Accordingtothe
BangladeshBureauof Statistics,bigindustriesare dominant,with5percentinthose industries- 744 andtwo-
thirdsinthe early20's. Thisis accordingto the categoriesof large,mediumandsmall industriesoverlabor
exploitationandendowmentcapital endowment.Onthe otherhand,some of the country'slargestcompanies
are coveredbya fewfertilizerfactories,large apparel,jute andtextile mill pharmaceuticalscompanies,cement
factories,telecomcompanies,andsmall andmediumindustries,exceptafew SOEs.UnderSME programmers,
governments,banksandfinancialinstitutionsfavorthe mediumandsmall industries.Alsoestablishedin2007,
the SME Foundationprovidesadvocacyservicesinadditiontolending.Already,BangladeshBankhasadopteda
re-financingprojectfrom20-5. Accordingly,IDA distributed$1 millionandBangladeshBankdistributedTk1.12
billionuntilJune 25,banksand financial institutionsare inthe processof refinancingpotentialentrepreneurs.
All sucheffortswill encourage small andmedieval industriestodevelopthe industrialsectorasa whole.Our
industrial sectorhasbeenthroughahistoryof slow growth,but some of the private sectorinitiativesand
expandedindustrieshave grownrapidly.Infact,thisgrowthisrampant aroundRMGs withverylittle diversity.
As an agrariancountry,the agro-processingindustryhasthe potentialtoexpandrapidlyinthiseraof rapid
urbanization.Furthermore,some microandhigh-techindustrieswillmove forwardbecauseof the incentive for
these twoindustries.SMEindustrieshave manufacturingfacilitiesforlow costqualitymanufacturingand
importoptions.However,evenwithveryliberal policyframeworks,poorinfrastructure.Political instability,
bureaucraticredtape and underdevelopedlegal systemspreventdomesticorforeigninvestment.Onthe other
hand,isolation fromthe energycrisiswill hinderthe recentgrowth.Inordertogain momentum, acommon
leapinthe industrial sectorof Bangladeshisnecessarytoexcludetheseanti-growthfactors.Bangladeshisa
developedcountry.The countrylagsbehindthe industry.
Lack of technical knowledge,lackof resources,political instabilityandinfrastructural backwardnessare the
mainobstaclestoindustrializationinourcountrybut there are some significantadvancesinsmall andmedium
level industriesinthe country.Private enterpriseshave setupmanynew andheavyindustriesthatare making
significantcontributionstoournational economy.

10. PROBLEMS :
Problems of RMG Sector in Bangladesh :
1. Non-paymentor Late Payment of Wagesand Benefits: Workersinalmostall of the factories
complainedthatmanagersdidnotpaywagesor benefitsinfull orontime.Thisincludedpayfor
overtime,maternitybenefits,the Eidholidaybonus,andcompensationforworkingduringvacations.
2. . Workplace Discriminationand Challenges forPregnantWomen: Workerswe spoke withfrom12
differentfactoriescomplainedthatpregnantwomenattheirfactorieswere deniedmaternityleave or
giventoolittle leave.HumanRightsWatchdidnot independentlyverifythe women’sclaimsbutthe
frequencyof the complaints,combinedwiththird-partyresearchbygroupslike Democracy
International,citedabove suggestspregnancydiscriminationisaseriousproblem.
Accordingto the BangladeshLaborAct,womenare entitledto16 weeksmaternitybenefit,atleast
eightweeksof whichshouldbe takenafterthe birth,solongastheyhave workedforthe employerfor
at leastsix monthspriorto the deliverydate andtheydonotalreadyhave twochildren.Incaseswhere
theyalreadyhave twochildren,the womenare entitledtounpaidleave only.Those entitledtopaid
leave shouldbe paidthe average wage theyreceivedoverthe precedingthreemonths,andthey
shouldreceive itfor16 weeks.
3. Physical and Verbal Abuse : Workersinmostof the factoriesinterviewedbyHumanRightsWatch
saidtheyhad witnessedsupervisorsverballyandsometimesphysicallyabusingpeople fornot
meetingproductiontargets.
4. Forced Overtime : Many workerscomplainedthatbecause theyweregivenunattainable
productiontargetstheywere forcedtoworklate at nightor on holidays,andwere thendeniedthe
overtime paytheyshouldhave received.
5. Dirty Drinking Water and Unsanitary Facilities: A commoncomplaintisthat the factoriesdonot
provide cleandrinkingwatertotheiremployees.Thisisinclearbreachof the Labor Act, which
stipulatesthateveryfactorymustprovide asufficientsupplyof wholesome drinkingwater.
6. Threats of Sexual Violence : Some female intervieweesinvolvedinorganizingunionssaidthey
receivedthreatsorinsultsof asexual nature.

11. 7. Dismissal of UnionOrganizers and Members: As notedinseveral of the casesabove,owners
sometimesalsodismissworkerswhochose toformunions.Some of the workerssubsequentlyfind
it hardto findworkelsewhere,suggestingthatfactoryownersmayshare namesor maintaina
blacklistof laboractivists.
Problems of Child Labour and Human Rights in Bangladesh :
1. Child workers are not getting their right of education. They are either uneducated or half-educated.
2. Childworkersare notgettingthe paymenttheydeservedaily.Mostlytheyare givenasmall
amountof moneythatisnot enoughtoearn theirlivelihoodwhichistotallyunfair.
3. Childworkersare mostlyforcedtodo overworks.
4. Female childworkersare facing sexual harassmentsandthreats.
5. Most of the childworkersdon’tgetgoodjobsin laterlife sotheychoose the wrongpathto earn
theirlivelihood.
Problems of Import-Export and Human Rights in Bangladesh :
1. The increase of importproductsreducesthe demandof domesticproducts.Thathasadverse implications
for domesticproducts.
2. It is veryinour countrythat extratime isbeingworkedoutbythe workersformakingproductsas demanded
for export.Buttheyare not paidextrawhichisagainsthuman rights.
3. The governmentchangeslesstax onexportable productsbutlessonimportedproducts.Thateffectsthe
country'speople.
4. Modern equipmentisbeingusedtoboostexport.Appointmentof consultantsfromoverseastooperate
those machines.The country'speople are losingopportunities
Problems of Industrialization & Human Rights:
1. Air Emissions:Industryisa majorcause of air pollution,since the operationof factoriesresultsinthe
emissionof pollutants,includingorganicsolvents,respirable particles,sulfurdioxide (SO2) andnitrogenoxides
(NOX).These pollutantscanbothharmpublichealthanddamage the environmentbycontributingtoglobal
phenomenasuchasclimate change,the greenhouseeffect,ozonehole andincreasingdesertification.

12. 2. Wastewater:The sourcesof effluent - treatedoruntreatedwastewaterthatisdischargedintosurface
waters- are many and varied.Effluentcancome fromindustrial outlets,treatmentplants,andsewers.
Industrial effluentsare onlyasmall fractionof the waste inthe State of Israel (about17%),but their
environmental damage hasthe potentialtobe greaterthanthat of domestic(municipal) wastewater.
Untreatedwastewatercan cause environmental woesincluding:pollutionof groundwaterreservoirs,damage
of transportand wastewatertreatmentsystems,anddegradationof treatedwastewaterandsludge suchthat
it woulddisqualifythemfrombeingusedforagricultural purposes.(Muchof Israel'streatedwastewateris
usedforirrigation;hence itisimportanttoreduce wastewaterpollutantssuchassaltsand heavymetals,which
coulddamage vegetationandcontaminate soilandgroundwater.)
3. Land Pollution:Leakage fromthe fuel andenergyindustries,aswell asindustriesinvolvinghazardous
materials,are the maincausesof landcontaminationinIsrael.Examplesof soil pollutionsourcesare oil
refineriesandpipelinestransportinggas,oil depots,gasstations,garages,metaltreatmentandcoating
factories,chemical plants,drycleaningbusinesses,printingbusinesses,the textile industry,andsiteswhere
hazardousmaterialsare stored.
Soil contaminationiscausedbydirectexposuretothe pollutant,leakage of toxicgasesintobuildings,and
groundwaterpollution.The propertiesof soil resultinpollutantsremaininginthe soil longafterthe pollution
incident.
4. Marine and Coastal Pollution: Prohibitionof discharge of sewage anddumpingof waste intothe sea
withouta discharge permit(eitherfromthe interministerial permitcommitteeforsewage andwaste,orfrom
the MoEP's districtofficesforbrine),prohibitionof constructiononthe coastlines,inaccordance withdecisions
made by the Committee toPreservethe Coastal Environment.
5. Hazardous Materials : Hazardousmaterialsare widelyusedinavarietyof differentbusinesses,including
industryandagriculture.If notproperlytreated,stored,ordealtwith,hazardousmaterialscancause damage
to humanhealth,environmentandproperty.
6. SolidWaste:Solidwaste isgeneratedwhereverthere ishumanactivityandischaracterizedbyaseveral
differentstreams,eachwithdifferentcharacteristicsandcomponents.Theseinclude industrialwaste,dry
waste,andorganic waste.The EnvironmentalProtectionMinistry'spolicyisaimedat"zerowaste"generation -
whichcouldonlybe reachedthrougha veryconsiderable increase overthe nextdecade inthe amountof waste
that isrecycledandrecovered,leavinglittle ornowaste to be buriedinlandfills.
7. PesticidesandPestControl Products: Animalsare considereddangeroustohumanswhenthere isariskof
themspreadingdisease,injuringaperson,damagingproperty,orbecominganintolerable nuisance.Examples
of "pests"include:mosquitoes,flies,cockroaches,fleas,fire ant,mice,andbats.Non-approvedpesticidescan
damage the environmentandresultinthe poisoningof livingthingsandinenvironmental pollution.
8. Asbestosand Harmful Dust: Productsthatcontainasbestos(friable orcement) thatisina state of
disintegrationmaycause the release of asbestosfibersintothe air.Thiscanbe hazardousto the environment
and can cause human illnesssuchaslungdisease.
9. Radiation: The publicandthe environmentare at-riskfromexposure tobothionizingradiation(sources
include radioactivematerials,x-raymachines,andaccelerators)andnon-ionizingradiation(sourcesinclude

13. electrical installations,mobile broadcastingcentersandlasers).The purposeof the license conditionsisto
protectthe environmentandthe publicfromradiationexposure,andtoregulate the establishmentand
operationof radiationsources.
10. Noise:Frequentorprolongedexposure toloudnoisesisnotonlya nuisance,butcancause damage to a
person'sphysical andmental health.
11. ViolatingHuman Rights: Industrializationoftenbreaksorviolateshumanbasicrights.Andwhythe
industrializationprocessisregardedasagreat problemina developingcountrylikebangladesh.Forexamples,
whenan industryisplannedtobe established,firstof all there needstoselectaparticularplace where the
communicationprocessiseasierandthe raw materialsare available inagreatextent.Asaresultthe ownerof
that place abrogate the local people whousedtolive there foralongtime.Sothe people are beingabrogated
violatingthe humanrights.
12. Low Daily Wages: Accordingtotheirworkings,the laboursalwaysgetlow dailywages.Here the owner
groupuse politicstobecome more profitable butthe labourclassesare beingabsorbedgreatly.Inadeveloping
countrylike Bangladesh,almost20 millionpeopleare extremelyunemployed.Asaresulttheyare beingbound
to workin variousindustriesata lowdailywages.The ownergroupalsotakesthischance and usingthe people
at a lowwageswhichviolatesthe humanrights.
Recommendations :
1. The Bangladeshgovernmentshouldcarryouteffective andimpartialinvestigationsintoall workers’
allegationsof mistreatment,includingbeatings,threats,andotherabuses,andprosecute those
responsible.
2. The Bangladeshgovernmentshouldrevise the laborlaw toensure itis inline withinternationallabor
standards.Amendmentsmade todate fall shortof International LabourOrganization’sconventions
ratifiedbyBangladesh,includingConventionNo.87on freedomof associationandConventionNo.98
on the rightto organize andbargain collectively.
3. CompaniessourcingfromBangladeshfactoriesshouldinstituteregularfactoryinspectionstoensure
that factoriescomplywithcompanies’codesof conductandthe BangladeshLaborLaw.
4. Companiesshouldworkinconsultationwithunionsandlaborrightslawyerstoensure thatpricingand
sourcingcontracts adequatelyreflectandincorporate the costof labor,health,andsafetycompliance.
Such contracts should include the cost of the minimumwage, overtime payments, and all legal benefits.

14. 5. Take measurestoimprove basiceducationinordertoreduce childlabor.
6. Take the particularcontextsof poorfamiliesintoaccountbycreatinganon-formal educationsystem
parallel toprimaryeducation.
7. Create awarenessamongparentsaboutthe consequencesof riskychildlabor.
8. Provide allowancesforthe poorfamilies.
9. Accelerate the foodforeducationprogramata large scale.
10. Improve the healthservicesforchildreninareaswhere itisknownthatchildworkersare livingand
working,
11. Improve the healthservicesof rural healthcenters.
12. Create mobile medical teamsthatvisitandtreatchildworkersattheirworkplaces.
13. Requiringitsexportcreditandinvestmentguarantee agenciestoconducta humanrightsimpact
assessment of the respective commercial activity before the economic incentive is promised or fulfilled;
14. Requiringeverybeneficiaryof aneconomicincentive tocarryout effectivehumanrightsdue diligence
withrespecttothe projectsubmittedforsupportspecificallyandforitsactivitiesandbusiness
relationshipsingeneral;
15. Requiringthateconomicincentivesmaybe withheldorwithdrawnif theirrecipientsabuse human
rights;
16. Requiringthatthe decisiontograntan economicincentiveshouldbe basedonclearandtransparent
criteriaestablishedbylaw.
17. Awarenessamongthe people of all sectorsof Bangladeshmustbe raisedandhelptocontrol the
industrializationprocessinaproperway.
18. The Govt. isonlyone that may boundeveryfactory or industrytoperformtheiractivitiessothat
industrial waste &pollutionreduce inagreatextent.
19. Effective rules&regulationmustbe enforcedagainstthe owner&laboursof variousindustryinorder
to considerthe surroundingsituationof environment.
20. All typesof factory,industryor machineriesshouldbe establishedfarawayof the habitantsof human
or otherlivinganimalssothatthe effectsof variousindustrialactivitiescannotaffecthumanor other
livinganimalsdirectly.
21. Everyindustrial factoriesalsoshoulduse moderntechnology&updatedmachinestobecome more
productive andreduce environmental pollution.
22. The Govt. alsocan buildupsome codesor principlesandemphasisthese tofollowstrictlyandmake
these principlesmandatory.

15. 23. As there createsa lotof waste materialsinindustrialization,sore-cycleprocessingcanbe startedto
reduce the amountof waste materialsandthe environmentbecomeslesspolluted.
24. Most of the laboursinindustrializationare nottrainedor expertin theirjob.Asa resulttheyfail to
performtheirspecificactivitiesproperlyandpollutethe environmentgreatly.
25. Sometimesthe ownersof industrydon'tfollowthe standardof theirindustrial activitiesandproduce
productsviolatingthe rules&regulationformore profit.Here the ownersgroupshouldsincere and
maintainthe standard.
26. Besidesmore productivity,the industrializationprocedureshouldfollow suchaway that the
environmentisnotdisturbed.Because if the environmentbecomesuncomfortable tolive in,nothing
will be helpfultosurvive ourandotherlivinganimalslife.
27. For ensuringthe humanbasicrightsproperly,the govt.shouldmonitorthe industrializationprocessso
that the laboursgettheirminimumdailywagesandthe ownersalsocontrol thisinaspecificway.
28. With that,theirmostbasic rightsinhabitantsmustbe givenmuchimportance.Whenanyindustrywill
be established,thenthe local people mustbe transferredtosucha place where theycan survive their
dailylife asbefore. The industrial owneralsoshouldgive themsome advantagestomaintainhuman
rightseffectively.
Conclusion:
The practice of conductingbusinesseswithnecessaryprovisionsof humanrightsisbeginningtotake itsroots
inBangladesh.Inthe lastcouple of years,manyhard lessonshave beenlearnedfromdisastersandtragedies
that occurredin the businesssector.On3rd
June,2010, a fire occurredin the Nimtali areaof OldDhaka that
killedatleast124 people.Itrevealedthatthe fire wasfannedby chemicalsandotherflammable products
storedinshopsin thatarea. Similarly,on24th
November,2012,a fire broke outina factorynamed,"Tazreen
Fashion,"whichwaslocatedonthe outskirtsof the city;the fire killed117 people andcausedinjuriestomany
other individuals. It was the deadliest factory fire in the history of the country. In 2013, due to structural failure,
an eight-storycommercialcumfactorybuildingcalled‘RanaPlaza'collapsed.The deathtoll was1,134 and
about2,500 people were injured.Itisconsideredthe deadliestgarmentsfactoryaccidentinhistory.On
September10th,2016, a boilerexplosionata plasticpackagingfactorynamed‘TampacoFoilsLimited'inthe
area of Tongi,whichissituatedinthe districtof Gazipur,led to the deathsof 23 people andthe injuriesof
another74. The victimswere mostlyworkers.Itisthe biggestindustrial disasterinBangladeshsince the Rana
Plazaincident.Itwasanothertragic lessonforthe country.Butit didnot stopthere.Another tragicincident
shookthe country onthe nightof 20th
February,2019. A fire broke outin ChawakBazar, whichisinthe old part
of Dhakacity,and it reportedlyleft80 people dead.The fire originatedfromthe groundfloorof a building
where several shopswere located.The firstfloorwasbeingusedasawarehouse - plastic goods, cosmetics
and perfumeswere keptthere.These tragicincidentsare castingashadow on the role of the government,and
the businesssectoronthe issue of ensuringadequate andsufficientsafetymeasures.Withrespecttothe

16. garmentssector,itis a fact that these industriesnotonlyearnforeignexchange forBangladesh,butalso
employmillionsof women,andthishasempoweredthe Bangladeshi womenandhasresultedinotherpositive
impactsfor the countryas well.
These tragiceventsrenewthe call forthe implementationof the UN GuidingPrinciplesonbusiness,basedon
the 3 pillars,inBangladesh.Here,we needtorememberthatthese principlesandthe pillarsare all
encompassing,takingintoconsiderationthe rolesandresponsibilitiesof the concernedstakeholdersinthe
businesssector.Itappearsthatthe businesssectorspecifically,andthe governmenthave crucial rolestoplay
inthisregard because the issues concerningprotection,respectandremedieslargelydependonthem.The
workersandotherstake holdersalsodohave a responsibilityinsecuringhumanrightsinbusinessesbyraising
demandsandexertingpressuretoprotectandsafeguardhumanrightsinthe businesssectorof Bangladesh.
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17. Kiron, M. I. (n.d.). Readymade Garments Industry of Bangladesh. Retrieved from
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