School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
J Public Health (Oxf). 2021 Apr 12;43(1):47-52. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa126.
This paper describes the potential impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the readymade garment (RMG) workers of Bangladesh. It articulates the RMG workers' existing vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic based on currently available evidence and personal conversations/communications with RMG workers. COVID-19 has already impacted RMG workers' health (both physical and mental health status) and wellbeing, and resulted in loss of employment. We argue that the COVID-19 pandemic will have long-lasting effects on the garment workers, especially related to their health issues, financial hardship and inability to pay for essentials such as food, and future employment opportunities. The stakeholders (such as the international retailers/brands, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Government of Bangladesh) responsible for the global supply chain RMG factories should reconsider the health and overall wellbeing needs of the RMG workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
本文探讨了 2019 年冠状病毒病(COVID-19)大流行对孟加拉国成衣(RMG)工人的潜在影响。本文根据现有证据以及与 RMG 工人的个人对话/交流,阐述了 COVID-19 大流行期间 RMG 工人现有的脆弱性。COVID-19 已经影响了 RMG 工人的健康(包括身心健康状况)和福利,并导致失业。我们认为,COVID-19 大流行将对制衣工人产生持久影响,尤其是与他们的健康问题、经济困难以及无力支付食物等必需品以及未来的就业机会有关。负责全球供应链 RMG 工厂的利益相关者(如国际零售商/品牌、孟加拉国服装制造商和出口商协会、孟加拉国政府)在 COVID-19 大流行期间应重新考虑 RMG 工人的健康和整体福利需求。