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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to measure the level of satisfaction of the workers toward readymade garment (RMG) industry in
Bangladesh. The study surveyed 150 workers from 24 garment factories situated in different locations of Dhaka and Gazipur
areas to determine the key influential factors that significantly influence on their level of satisfaction. These workers were surveyed
through convenience sampling method with structured questionnaire from February to March 2016. After collection of primary
data, hypotheses were formulated and one sample T-test was used to test the hypotheses with 0.05 level of statistical significance.
For assuming the characteristics of data, demographic analysis, descriptive analysis and interpretations were drawn on the basis
of percentage frequency, calculated mean, standard deviation (SD). In addition, empirical analyses were depicted by coefficient of
variation (CV). The recommendations were provided based on the research findings and analysis.
Keywords
Workers’ satisfaction, Readymade garment (RMG), Bangladesh, BGMEA
I. Introduction city.
The readymade garments (RMG) sector is the oxygen of 3. To propose the ways to mitigate the dissatisfaction of RMG
Bangladesh economy. The RMG sector is leading foreign currency workers in Bangladesh.
earner of the country that received more than three fourth (about 4. To provide a set of recommendations and suggestions with
81.32%) of total export earnings (Bangladesh Bank, 2015). a view to improving workers’ satisfaction toward the RMG
This RMG sector is connected with the world economy through industry in Bangladesh.
export, import and commodities marketing. The RMG sector
circulates the Bangladesh economy. After the liberation period, III. Hypotheses of the Study
Bangladesh economy depended on raw jute and jute products, Research hypothesis is an unproven statement, which helps the
when jute industry fallen then RMG sector come in first place researcher to draw the Suggestion on his hypothetical assumption
by replacing jute industry. Bangladesh first exported RMG goods whether it is true or false based on some specific statistical tests
to USA in 1978; then Reaz Garments exported only US$ 69,000 (Akterujjaman, 2010). Based on the objectives of the study, the
(Latifi, 2015).These industry played the vital role in employment following hypotheses in table 1 (at 95% confidence level) are
generation and proper distribution of income. Workers satisfaction developed, which are to be tested.
means measure how the workers are satisfied toward their job and
working environments. When the workers are mentally satisfied Table 1: Developing Hypotheses for Different Factors
the company can be benefited from them. Many components are Sl. Null hypothesis Alternative
involved to satisfy of workers, if it would be properly implemented, Factors
(H0) hypothesis (Ha)
workers will be satisfied. It is also related to the co-worker,
management, attitude, working conditions, work policy, wages, 1. Work Place
x wp= 0 x wp≠ 0
holiday and so on. Bangladesh is labor intensive country, where
the low labor wage comparing with other exporting countries per 2. Working hours
month BDT 5300 (Bangladesh Govt’s additional Gazette, 2013). x wh = 0 x wh≠ 0
In Bangladesh there are 4222 garments factories and about 4 3. Holidays
million employees engaged in RMG sector, 85 percent of which x hf = 0 x hf≠ 0
is women. According to BGMEA, 30 percent capacity of RMG
4. Wage provide in
sector is unutilized due to lack of skilled labor force. Since 2005 x wprt = 0 x wprt≠ 0
Right Time
employment in RMG sector increases from 2 million to 4 million
in FY 2014. As well as number of active factories increases from 5. Provide
Incentives x =0 x pi≠ 0
4107 to 5600 in 2012-13 (Bangladesh Bank, 2015). pi
6. Meal Allowance
II. Objectives of the Study x ma
=0 x ma
≠0
The main purpose of the study is to measure the level of job 7. Provident Fund
satisfaction of workers in different garment factories in Bangladesh, Facilities x pff = 0 x pff≠ 0
whereas, the specific objectives are as follows:
8. Medical
1. To identify the factors those are affecting the satisfaction x =0 x mi≠ 0
Allowance mi
level of workers.
2. To assess the perception and satisfaction of the workers
toward the selected garment factories in Dhaka and Gazipur
1. Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents respondents are 27-32 years of age. Marital status shows that
The analyses of the demographic characteristics of the respondents majority of the respondents (66 percent) are married, on the other
are shown in table 2. hand, 34 percent workers are single who work in the garments
industry. Table 2 also reveals that 82 percent workers are in Below
Table 2: Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents SSC level of education and 9.33 percent respondents are in SSC
(N = 150) level. The highest numbers of workers (45.33 percent) are
Options/ Character- Fre- Per- Valid Per- operators, 25.33 percent workers are helper and 18.667 percent
istics quency cent cent workers work in finishing sector. The large number of workers
Sex monthly income level is 57.33 percent (5000-8000 BDT) and 23.33
percent workers earn per month (8000-11000 BDT).
Male 41 27.33 27.33
Female 109 72.67 72.67 2. Work Place
Total 150 100 100 The environment of the work place is very vital to get the best
Age output from the workers. Work place in the factory should be neat
and clean, safe and secured from any kind of hazard.
15-20 Years 43 28.67 28.67
21-26 years 55 36.67 36.67 Table 3: Satisfaction level of Work Place
27-32 Years 44 29.33 29.33 Satisfaction Fre- Per-
33-Above 8 5.33 5.33 Level quency cent Mean SD CV
Total 150 100 100 Highly
dissatisfied 3 2
Marital Status
Dissatisfied 3 2
Married 99 66 66
Neutral 26 17.3
Unmarried 51 44 44 3.946 0.809 20.501
Satisfied 85 56.7
Total 150 100 100
Highly satis-
Level of Education fied 33 22
Below S.S.C 123 82 82 Total 150 100
S.S.C 14 9.33 9.33
Source: Field Survey, February - March 2016
H.S.C 10 6.67 6.67
Undergraduate 3 2 2 Table 3 reveals that, out of 150 workers 56.7 percent are satisfied,
Total 150 100 100 22 percent workers are highly satisfied and 17.3 percent are
Worker Designation neutral regarding sufficient work place in garments industry i n
Bangladesh. So the scenery of Bangladesh RMG sectors follows
Cleaner & Security 9 6 6
the ILO rules. Maximum garments industry working place is clean
Cutter Man 3 2 2 and hygienic. Here the mean value is 3.946, which lie in u p
Supervisor 4 2.67 2.67 neutral category of workers’ responses. The standard deviation
Iron, quality & finish- (SD) and co-efficient of variation (CV) are respectively 0.809
28 18.67 18.67 and 20.501, which indicate the number of workers RMG
ing
Helper 38 25.33 25.33 sector in Bangladesh is get the proper work place. So, maximum
workers are satisfied toward their work place.
operator 68 45.33 45.33
Total 150 100 100 3. Working Hour
Monthly Income Set the work hour with all applicable International Labor
Below 5000 17 11.33 11.33 Organization (ILO) laws. Sometimes workers work in 12 to 15
hours when shipment is knocking at the door. It is the main reasons
5000-8000 86 57.33 57.33
for lack of proper planning. Usually they are neither satisfied nor
8000-11000 35 23.33 23.33 dissatisfied toward their working hours.
11000-14000 11 7.33 7.33
14000-Above 1 0.67 0.67 Table 4: Working Hour
Total Satisfaction Level Fre- Per-
150 100 100 quency cent Mean SD CV
Highly dissatisfied 2 1.3
Source: Field Survey, February – March 2016 Dissatisfied 21 14
Neutral 75 50
Table 2 shows the demographic characteristics of the 3.26 0.847 25.981
Satisfied 40 26.7
respondents. Out of 150 respondents, majority of the respondents
(72.67 percent) are female, where as 27.33 percent are male. Highly satisfied 12 8
About 28.67 percent of the respondents are in 15-20 years of age, Total 150 100
36.67 percent respondents are in 21-26 years and 29.33 percent Source: Field Survey, February - March 2016
Table 8 reveals that 35.3 percent workers were highly dissatisfied Table 10 reveals that 40 percent workers were highly dissatisfied
and 25.3 percent workers were dissatisfied about their meal and 30.7 percent workers were dissatisfied about their medical
allowance. On the other hand, 22.7 percent workers were neutral allowance. On the table shown 19.3 percent workers were neutral
concerning their meal allowance. The mean value is 2.3, which toward their medical allowance. The mean value is 2.006, which
less in neutral category of workers’ responses. The SD and CV less in neutral category of workers’ responses. The SD and CV
are respectively 1.278 and 55.565, denotes that the opinion of are respectively 1.033 and 51.496, denotes that the opinion of
the workers is dissatisfied. So, the researchers can conclude that the workers is dissatisfied. So, the researchers can conclude that
the garments workers of Bangladesh are not healthy because they the garments workers of Bangladesh are not medical allowance but
cannot proper nutrition. they get first aid facilities.
The above table 9 shown 35.3 percent workers were highly The above tables 11 shown 40 percent workers were highly
dissatisfied and 25.3 percent workers were dissatisfied and 22.7 dissatisfied and 23.3 percent workers were neutral and 22.7 percent
percent workers were neutral for provide provident fund facilities. workers were dissatisfied about discipline. Here mean value is
Here mean value is 2.3 is below than the neutral position of 2.153 is below than the neutral position of satisfaction level. The
satisfaction level. The SD and CV are respectively 1.278 and SD and CV are respectively 1.174 and 54.525, denotes that the
55.565, denotes that the opinion of the workers is scattered. So, opinion of the workers is dissatisfied.
the researchers can conclude that most of the time workers are
deprive their rights. 11. Annual Increment
In Bangladesh RMG workers are deprived their proper annual
9. Medical Allowance increment. RMG workers told that there are not satisfied annual
Production depends on workers physical and mental satisfaction. increment systems. Management does not properly evaluate
RMG workers in Bangladesh get BDT 320 only per month as workers performance on the basis of annual increment systems.
medical allowance. Annual increment is predetermined just management implemented
in yearly.
Table 10: Medical Allowance
Satisfaction Table 12: Annual Increment
Level Frequency Percent Mean SD CV Satisfaction Fre- Per-
Highly Level quency cent Mean SD CV
dissatisfied 60 40 Highly
dissatisfied 44 29.3
Dissatisfied 46 30.7
Dissatisfied 44 29.3
Neutral 29 19.3 1.033 51.496
2.006 Neutral 49 32.7
Satisfied 13 8.7 2.24 1.041 51.496
Satisfied 8 5.3
Highly
satisfied 2 1.3 Highly
satisfied 5 3.3
Total 150 100
Total 150 100
Source: Field Survey, February - March 2016 Source: Field Survey, February - March 2016
The above table 12 shown 32.7 percent workers were neutral and The above table 14 shown 54 percent workers were highly
29.3 percent workers were highly dissatisfied and 29.3 percent dissatisfied and 24 percent workers were dissatisfied and 16.7
workers were dissatisfied for annual increment system. Here mean percent workers were neutral position for their housing facility.
value is 2.24 is below than the neutral position of satisfaction level. Here mean value is 1.733 is below than the neutral position of
The SD and CV are respectively 1.041 and 51.496, denotes that satisfaction level. The SD and CV are correspondingly 0.924
the opinion of the workers is dissatisfied their annual increment and 53.318 denotes that the opinion of the workers is highly
system in selected RMG factory in Bangladesh. dissatisfied their housing facility system in selected RMG factory
in Bangladesh.
12. Transport Facility
RMG workers of Bangladesh get only BDT 200 per month for 14. Training Facility on Joining
their transportation cost. Maximum workers were not satisfied In RMG sector Bangladesh get job oral and verbally so, they
transport facilities. Workers of RMG sectors they go to work cannot get opportunity after joining training facility. In the selected
place by bus, walk, rickshaw, tempo, and others. They told that RMG factories maximum workers were not training facility on
every day their transportation cost about BDT 40. So, BDT 200 joining job. So their productivity low.
is not enough, they want transportation facilities.
Table 15: Training Facility on Joining
Table 13: Transport Facility Satisfaction Fre-
Satisfac- Level quency Percent Mean SD CV
tion Fre- Highly
Level quency Percent Mean SD CV
dissatisfied 84 56
Highly
dissatisfied 32 21.3 Dissatisfied 24 16
Dissatisfied 55 36.7 Neutral 13 8.7
1.967 1.302 66.192
Neutral 31 20.7 Satisfied 21 14
2.453 1.115 45.454 Highly
Satisfied 27 18
satisfied 8 5.3
Highly
satisfied 5 3.3 Total 150 100
Total 150 100 Source: Field Survey, February - March 2016
Source: Field Survey, February - March 2016 The above table 15 shown 56 percent workers were highly
dissatisfied and 16 percent workers were dissatisfied their training
The above table 13 shown 36.7 percent workers were dissatisfied facility on joining job. Then 14 percent workers were satisfied.
and 21.3 percent workers were highly dissatisfied and 20.7 percent At this juncture mean value is 1.967 is below than the neutral
workers were neutral for transportation facilities. Here mean value position of satisfaction level. Then SD and CV are likewise 1.302
is 2.453 is below than the neutral position of satisfaction level. The and 66.192 denote that the opinion of the workers is highly
SD and CV are correspondingly 1.115 and 45.454 denotes that dissatisfied their training facility on joining job in selected RMG
the opinion of the workers is dissatisfied their transport facilities factory in Bangladesh.
system in selected RMG factory in Bangladesh.
VII. Hypotheses Testing
13. Housing Facility Data wear analyzed with a Likert type -5 point scale ranging
The selected RMG factories none of them do not provide housing from highly dissatisfied (1) to highly satisfied (5). In this study
facility for their workers. But they provide house rent on the basic weighted average value of 3 (test value) has been considered as
salary 40% according to government gazette 2013.In the Dhaka the optimum level for every case. One- sample t-test is done to
and Gazipur districts house rent is too high. Therefore workers test hypotheses 1 to 13.
have a demand if the factory provide more house rent they could
smoothly life lead. Workers 50% of expenditure goes to house
rent.
Source: SPSS output, compiled by the authors confidence interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0 is true. That
The test statistic table 16 shows the results of the one-sample means Ho is accepted and Ha is rejected. So, we can conclude
t test. The t column displays the observed t statistic for each that workers are not satisfied regarding provident fund facilities
sample, calculated as the ratio of the mean difference divided by elected RMG factories.
by the standard error of the sample mean. The 95% confidence In view of that the factor “medical allowance” confidence
interval of the difference provides an estimate of the boundaries interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0 is accurate. That
between which the true mean difference lies in 95% of all means Ho is accepted and Ha is rejected. So, we can conclude
possible random samples of the factors (13 factors) in the test. that workers are not satisfied regarding medical allowance by
Therefore, in support of the factor “work place” confidence selected RMG factories. Consequently, in favor of the factor
interval lies entirely above 0.0. As a result, Ha Holds true. That “discipline” confidence interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus,
means, Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected. So, it can be H0 is correct. That means Ho is accepted and Ha is discarded.
concluded that workers are satisfied toward workplace of the So, we can conclude that workers are not satisfied concerning
selected RMG factories. discipline provided by the selected RMG factories.
Since, for the factor “working hour” confidence interval lies Accordingly, in favor of the factor “annual increment” confidence
entirely above 0.0. As a result Ha is supported. So Ha is interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0 is correct. That means
granted and Ho is not granted. Therefore it can be concluded that Ho is received and Ha is rejected. So, we can conclude that
the workers are satisfied their working hour in selected garments workers are not satisfied concerning annual increment provided
factories. by the favored RMG factories.
Hence, for the factor “holiday” confidence interval lies entirely Hence, in favor of the factor “transport facility” confidence
above 0.0. Thus, Ha is accurate and Ha is accepted and Ho is interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0 is true. That means
discarded. So, it can be concluded that RMG workers are satisfied Ho is accepted and Ha is rejected. So, we can conclude that
their holiday of the selected factories. workers are not satisfied concerning transport facility provided
Consequently, in favor of the factor “wage provide in right by the preferred RMG factories.
time” confidence interval lies entirely above 0.0. Thus, Ha is In view of that the factor “housing facility” confidence interval
established. That way Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected. So, it lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0 is accurate. That means Ho is
can be done that workers are satisfied in the direction of wage accepted and Ha is rejected. So, we can conclude that workers
provide in right time of the selected RMG factories. are not satisfied regarding housing facility by elected RMG
Accordingly, in favor of the factor “provide incentive” factories.
confidence interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0 is true. That Consequently, in favor of the factor “training facilities on
means Ho is accepted and Ha is rejected. So, we can conclude joining” confidence interval lies entirely below 0.0. Thus, H0
that workers are not satisfied regarding incentive provided by is approved. That means Ho is accepted and Ha is discarded. So,
RMG employers. we can conclude that workers are not satisfied concerning training
Thus, for the factor “meal allowance” confidence interval lies facilities on joining by the preferred RMG factories.
entirely below 0.0. Hence H0 is factual that is Ha is cast off.
So, it can be concluded that workers are not satisfied their meal VIII. Conclusion
allowance of the chosen RMG factories. Employees’ satisfaction is the most supremacy part of increase
Hence, in favor of the factor “provident fund facilities” productivity in any sector. It has been seen that problems in