Bangladesh garment sector throws up heartwarming stories

24 May '14

4 min read

Readymade garment industry has generated employment for millions of people and changed the stratum of the society of once poverty-stricken Bangladesh. Garment factories are not merely the places from where these people earn their livelihood, rather the factories are fulfilling many of their dreams which might not have come true in their life had they not been employed there.

Here are a few such stories from hundreds which are telltale evidence of the fact that garment is not only the means of livelihood for them but also an industry that added spice to their lives.

The primary school dropout rate in Bangladesh is still as high as 33 percent. According to UNICEF, the dropout rate is high mainly due to children’s need to help families in farming and household chores, child-unfriendly teaching-learning methods, overcrowded classrooms and unattractive educational environment.

Schools of Viyellatex Group with interactive teaching methods, trained teachers and attractive classrooms is ensuring education of its workers’ children. The schools, which aim to facilitate proper education for the children of the workers, have modern recreation and academic facilities which are usually offered by expensive schools in posh areas of the capital.

So, the mothers and fathers employed in the Group have the satisfaction that by working in the Group they can ensure quality education and safer future for their daughters and sons, which is a dream of every parent irrespective of caste and creed.

Disability is often seen by many in Bangladesh as a curse and disabled persons are considered as a burden on their families. Keya Knit Composite has brought change in the lives of almost one thousand disabled persons, mostly hearing impaired, by employing them at the factory with good facilities and equal opportunity to use their talents in either artistic, administrative or technical areas. They are now leading a dignified life and also taking care of their families.

KHEA the education assistance program of Epyllion Group offers a beacon of hope to the children of its workers. Launched in 2012, a total of 261 meritorious children of the workers have so far been provided with scholarships under the KHEA Program.

Shohag, the son of a worker couple at Epyllion Group, is paying for his own education in Computer Science and Engineering with his own income which he earns by working at the Industrial Engineering (IE) Department of Epyllion.

Shabnoor, the daughter of the same couple was also provided with a job in the Group and has received a scholarship in 2013 from Epyllion Group for her outstanding result in JSC. She is entitled for this scholarship up to completion of her graduation.

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