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Belal, HM 
ORCID: 0000-0001-6737-1445
Addressing social sustainability in Bangladesh’s RMG Industry: challenges, critique, and research pathways.
In:
Social Innovation for Sustainable Futures: Transformative Pathways, Policies, and Practices.
Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
(Accepted)
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Abstract
The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh has become a cornerstone of the South Asian economy, establishing the country as the world’s second-largest garment exporter after China. The sector’s rapid expansion is driven by an abundant supply of skilled, low-cost labour, allowing Bangladesh to deliver affordable, high-quality apparel to global markets. Yet, this economic achievement has often entailed high social costs. The relentless focus on minimising production costs and maximising efficiency has led to compromised labour rights, inadequate workplace safety, and broader social welfare concerns. The 2013 Rana Plaza tragedy, which claimed the lives of more than a thousand workers and injured countless others, starkly underscored the urgent need for greater social accountability in the industry. Most existing research concentrates on the economic and operational aspects of the RMG sector, offering only a surface-level understanding of its social sustainability challenges. This study addresses this gap by critically examining social sustainability practices in Bangladesh’s RMG industry, focusing on the structural, organisational, and policy factors that impact worker welfare, safety, and labour rights. Additionally, the study introduces a theoretical framework to guide the sector toward socially responsible and sustainable growth, enabling it to remain globally competitive while safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of millions of workers. By embedding social sustainability at the heart of its operations, Bangladesh’s RMG sector can sustain its economic prominence and make meaningful contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to decent work, gender equality, and inclusive economic growth.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Reuse is strictly restricted to non-commercial uses |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Social Sustainability; Ready-made garments (RMG); Sustainable Development Goals; Social Welfare; Social Indicators; Women entrepreneurship |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5001 Business H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs > GT500 Costume. Dress. Fashion |
| Divisions: | Liverpool Business School |
| Publisher: | Cambridge Scholars Publishing |
| Related URLs: | |
| Date of acceptance: | 25 March 2026 |
| Date of first compliant Open Access: | 13 April 2026 |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Apr 2026 13:44 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Apr 2026 13:44 |
| URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28315 |
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