Shawdesh desk:

Automation in the readymade garment sector has resulted in a 30.58 per cent reduction in workers across production processes, with helpers bearing the brunt of the impact.

According to a recent study, the increase in adoption of automation in RMG factories is reshaping the workforce, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

The study was jointly conducted by Solidaridad Bangladesh, Bangladesh Labour Foundation and BRAC University.

Among production processes, the cutting sections saw the largest decrease in workforce, with a 48.34 per cent reduction, while the sewing process recorded a 26.57 per cent decline.

The study titled ‘Assessment of technological transition in apparel sector of Bangladesh and its impact on the workers’ showed that sweater factories experienced the steepest reduction, with a 37.03 per cent drop in workforce per production line, followed by woven factories with a 27.23 per cent decline.

The report mentioned that the automation posed significant challenges to women, older workers, those with lower literacy levels, unskilled labourers, and individuals with low confidence.

From the gender context, women workers were more vulnerable due to lack of technical skill and 62 per cent workers said that women were replaced either being reassigned to different roles or, in some cases, fired, the report said.

BRAC University Economics and Social Science department professor Shahidur Rahman shared the study findings at an event held on Sunday at Hotel Amari in the city.

BLF executive director AKM Ashraf Uddin, Solidaridad Bangladesh country director Selim Reza Hasan, National Coordination Committee for Workers Education chairman Badal Khan and labour reform commission chairman Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, among others, spoke at the event.

Out of 10 stages of production from spinning to shipment, only three phases — spinning, dying and finished fabric preparation — are fully automated, Shahidur said while presenting the findings.

He said the advanced level of automation was not found in the manufacturing stage while the sewing section was found semi-automated where the majority of workers are employed.

Beyond production stage, automation has taken place in the system and data management, the study mentioned.

The study also found that data automation enabled manufacturers to track production metrics, energy usage, and maintenance schedules in real time, supported Just-In-Time operations, and reduced waste.

It revealed that automation has increased factory efficiency from 3 per cent to 5 per cent and reduced labour requirements and costs.

For instance, fabric spreading now requires only one worker instead of seven, saving $1,020 in labour costs.

According to the report, automation also boosted productivity per hour from 90 to 140 and eliminated product rejection rates, which previously stood at 10 per cent, through the use of advanced machinery like the back moon machine for knitted polo shirts.

However, it raised production targets by 64.21 per cent, leading to increased pressure on workers.

Labour secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said that automation was inevitable, with the challenge how to address its impacts. He underscored the urgent need for skill development aligned with industry demands.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association support committee member Miran Ali acknowledged that the wages of garment workers in Bangladesh was low but the input cost in the country was higher.

Inefficiencies in areas such as customs delays, complexities in raw material imports, and logistical challenges are increasing pressure on workers, he said.