Fair Wages
Ask to see payroll records, overtime calculations and proof of timely payment against Bangladesh's minimum wage gazette for the garment sector.
Worker welfare
Worker Welfare & Responsible Employment
Labour standards vary between factories. This page sets out what buyers should ask for, and what suppliers listing on Bangladesh Apparel are asked to be able to demonstrate.
How to read this page
Bangladesh Apparel is a sourcing platform, not an auditing body. We verify company registration and trade documents before a supplier is listed, but we do not inspect factory floors and we do not certify labour conditions. The questions below are the ones experienced buyers ask during supplier assessment. Use them alongside independent audit, not instead of it.
Six areas to assess
Safe Workplace
Ask for the factory's structural, fire and electrical safety assessments, its most recent remediation status, and evidence of emergency drills.
Childcare Facilities
Ask whether an on-site childcare centre operates, how many children it serves, and who staffs it.
Healthcare Support
Ask about on-site medical provision, working hours of the facility, and what referral arrangements exist for treatment beyond first aid.
Women in the Workforce
Ask for the proportion of women in supervisory and management roles, not only on the line, and what progression routes exist.
Skills Development
Ask what training is provided, how many hours per worker per year, and whether it is recorded and certified.
Recruitment and child protection
Child labour and irregular recruitment are the areas where buyer scrutiny is highest and where documentation matters most. Request the following from any supplier before placing an order.
- Age verification procedure at hiring
- Worker identity documentation
- Written employment contracts
- Recruitment fee policy
- Grievance mechanism
- Most recent social compliance audit
Where the industry is investing next
Worker wellbeing extends beyond the factory floor. These are areas where Bangladeshi manufacturers and industry bodies are developing programmes. Availability differs considerably between factories, so confirm directly with any supplier rather than assuming.
- Factory childcare centres
- Community healthcare programmes
- Worker housing initiatives
- Digital skills development
- Financial literacy programmes
- Women leadership development
- Community education support
People-first manufacturing
Bangladesh's apparel success is built on its people. Long-term growth depends on safe workplaces, responsible recruitment, skills development and worker wellbeing — and on buyers who verify those things rather than assume them.