BUFT Journal of Business and Economics

Occupational Health Hazard, Reproductive Health and Domestic Violence of Women RMG Workers and Their Effects on Worker’s Productivity

BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology
Email: masum.billah@buft.edu.bd

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigates the current state of women RMG workers’ occupationalhealth and safety, reproductive health, working environment and domestic violence and their possibleeffects on productivity.Methodology: A cross sectional study has been conducted with structured questionnaire to collect data from493 female garments workers of 44 ready-made garments factories of Bangladesh. The collected data testedby using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) techniques with SMART PLS-4.0.Findings: The study result shows that occupational health, occupational safety, reproductive health,working environment and domestic violence have moderate effects on worker’s productivity and onlyoccupational health and reproductive health have positive significant effects on worker’s productivity.However, occupational safety, working environment and domestic violence have no significant impacts onworkers productivity.Practical Implications: To increase productivity, create a comfortable working space with the lighting,ventilation, safety gear, and hazard prevention measures and promote a positive attitude amongmanagement-level employees and also establish a counseling center for the female employees to ensuregood reproductive health.Research Limitations: This study is based on quantitative data analysis. In future a qualitative research maybe conducted for in depth study.Value: Literature shows that no previous study considered the combined effects of domestic violence,reproductive health, work environment, occupational safety, and domestic violence on worker’sproductivity. The Maslow hierarchy of needs theory served as the inspiration for this investigation. In lightof this, this study investigates the main working environmental factors generating low productivity inBangladesh's RMG industries.