ABSTRACT
Since the 1980s the garment industry has replaced the jute as the dominant export sector of Bangladesh by taking advantage of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA), setting up Desh-Daewoo collaboration, and changing government policy. There has been a profound economic impact of the industry on the country in terms of export earnings and employment. There is no way to deny that the RMG has emerged as the engine of the economy. What is more important is the social impact – women got an opportunity to participate in the paid labour market and changed their social status in society. Despite these positive economic and social impacts, the workers have become vulnerable in different ways after joining the garment factories as is evident in the collapse of Rana Plaza.
