RMG labour productivity yet behind that of rivals

Except for Cambodia, Bangladesh still lags behind all seven Asian competitors in terms of apparel labour productivity per hour despite being the second largest garment exporter.

However, the government claims that the country’s overall labour productivity increased to 3.8% between 1995 and 2016, thanks to necessary efforts taken by the National Productivity Organisation (NPO).

Quoting data from the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), the industries ministry said 20 Asian countries had registered 2.5% growth in productivity during the period.

The hourly productivity of Bangladesh is valued at $3.4 while that of China, the largest exporter, was recorded at $11.1, according to the APO data for 2019.

The highest labour productivity was calculated in Sri Lanka at $15.9, followed by Indonesia at $12.3, it added.

Labour productivity in other apparel producing countries such as the Philippines, India, Vietnam and Myanmar, was also higher than in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, as part of its mega plan, the government has set a target of increasing productivity per work hour by 5.6% on average per annum between 2021 and 2030.