$15b RMG export hinges on workers' productivity

Productivity of workers needs to be improved to achieve US$15 billion annual apparel export target, a seminar was told in Dhaka yesterday.
Although the investment in the country's RMG sector increased significantly over the last few years, the productivity of the workers remains almost static due to lack of investment in training for the workers, speakers told the seminar
The seminar on 'impact of globalisation and economic reforms and the role of trade union' was organized Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) and Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI).
President of BEI Farooq Sobhan chaired the seminar while acting secretary general of BILS Wajedul Islam Khan moderated the function.
Economist Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad discussed the keynote paper presented by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Research Fellow Khandakar Golam Moazzem.
Farooq Sobhan said in the globalised world Bangladesh is facing two challenges -- attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and increasing of export base.
The government, private sector stakeholders and trade unions should work together to face the challenges, Sobhan said.
Lauding the initiative of forming the Better Business Forum (BBF), he said due to existence of such forum all business sectors and trade unions would be greatly benefited.
Kholiquzzaman said the condition of education and training facilities for the workers should be improved for ensuring better productivity.