A new report from the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab and GoodWeave International exposes alarming levels of worker exploitation and child labor in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, calling for systemic reforms to ensure worker protection.

A Persistent Challenge in the Garment Industry

Bangladesh’s RMG sector is a cornerstone of its economy, employing over four million people, predominantly women, and contributing to 80% of the country’s exports to Europe and the U.S. While improvements in export factory conditions have been made following the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013, the hidden layers of subcontracted manufacturing remain rife with abuse.

With funding from UK International Development, the Rights Lab and GoodWeave International conducted an extensive study, gathering data from over 2,000 workers across 20 industrial clusters in Dhaka and Chattogram. Their findings paint a troubling picture of modern slavery, hazardous working conditions for young laborers, and severe wage exploitation.

Key Findings: Alarming Rates of Exploitation

The report, titled ‘Modern Slavery and Child Labor in Bangladesh’s Garment Sector: Documenting Risks and Informing Solutions’, uncovers stark realities:

• Child labor remains pervasive – 100% of the minors interviewed were illegally employed in RMG factories, particularly in subcontracted worksites.
• Rampant wage exploitation – 32% of adult RMG workers earn below minimum wage, and 7% live below the international poverty line.
• Excessive working hours – Nearly a third of surveyed workers exceed ten-hour shifts, six days a week, violating both Bangladeshi and international labor laws.
• Gender wage disparity – Women, who make up the majority of workers, earn an average of 2,000 BDT ($18 USD) less per month than their male counterparts.
• Widespread abuse and threats – 56% of workers report experiencing threats or abuse at work. Among them, 68% of adults and a staggering 90% of minors who faced abuse were female.

Industry and Governmental Responsibility

The findings underscore the urgent need for reform across the industry’s global supply chain. The report calls upon the Bangladeshi government, international brands, local suppliers, NGOs, and trade unions to collaborate on comprehensive changes, including:

• Greater supply chain transparency – Brands and retailers must ensure that subcontracted factories adhere to ethical labor practices.
• Risk-based human rights due diligence – Companies must proactively assess and mitigate forced labor risks.
• Fair compensation and wage enforcement – Workers must be paid at least the legal minimum wage, with a pathway toward living wages.
• Stronger protections against child and forced labor – Regulatory frameworks and industry standards must be strictly enforced.
• Effective grievance mechanisms – Workers should have safe, accessible channels to report abuses without fear of retaliation.

Industry Leaders Call for Collective Action

Zoe Trodd, Director of The Rights Lab, emphasized the severity of the issue: “Our extensive research on modern slavery in supply chains shows that manufacturing is one of the high-risk industries for forced labor. We are pleased to work with GoodWeave and Bangladesh Labor Foundation on this new research to understand the scale and nature of exploitation in garment production and identify the critical areas where change can help to ensure decent work conditions.”

Jon Jacoby, CEO at GoodWeave International, reinforced the need for systemic change: “This report by GoodWeave and The Rights Lab highlights persistent risks of exploitation in the hidden tiers of Bangladesh’s garment supply chain while proposing systemic and scaled solutions. By joining forces for more effective due diligence, brands, suppliers, governments, trade unions, and civil society can protect the rights and dignity of vulnerable workers and children while supporting the sustainable growth of this crucial industry for Bangladesh. Let’s roll up sleeves and take the high road – together.”

Next Steps: Advocacy and Action

To drive action on these findings, the Rights Lab and GoodWeave International will host a series of events following the report’s release. The first of these is a virtual side session on February 10 during the 2025 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector, a key global conference on ethical business practices.

For businesses, policymakers, and civil society organizations, this report serves as a wake-up call. While Bangladesh’s RMG sector is integral to the global fashion industry, ensuring ethical labor practices is not just a moral imperative—it is essential for long-term industry sustainability and global human rights progress.

As international scrutiny intensifies, stakeholders must take decisive action to eradicate modern slavery and create a future where Bangladesh’s garment workers are treated with the dignity and fairness they deserve.