Role of Readymade Garment Sector in Changing the Livelihood Pattern of Rural Women: an Analysis of Garment Workers in Bangladesh

The study reveals that, Readymade Garment (RMG) sector has positively influenced the socio-economic condition of women garment workers. Employment opportunities for women in the garment industry have created the scope to cross the threshold of economic space. In Bangladesh, the readymade garment sector plays a significant role, in creating employment opportunity of women and accelerating economic growth as well. Women could ensure the sustainable livelihood, after getting employment in the garment industry. It could be mentioned that, sustainable livelihood is the combination of concept of capabilities, equity and sustainability. As, three concepts has played as a role of means and ends of livelihood. In this paper, sustainable livelihood, measured through analyzing the four indicators of socioeconomic condition, which are income, health, education and decision making power. This paper relied on secondary sources, for instance- articles, research reports, thesis papers and newspapers, related with women garment workers. There are four millions of workforce in the RMG sector, of which, 80% are women, who are considered as ‘the engine of growth' of the garment industry