Garment Workers' Digital Access to Job Information
The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) at BRAC University, in collaboration with Dr. Rachel Heath (University of Washington), Dr. Laura Boudreau (Columbia Business School, Columbia University), and the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), is implementing the project “Using Text Messages to Provide Garment Workers Access to Job Information”. This initiative is funded by the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Connectivity (WEE-Connect) initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
The project aims to explore whether access to cell phones is sufficient to connect women garment workers with information about job availability and quality in nearby factories. By addressing the existing information gap, the study seeks to empower workers, particularly women, with critical data to make informed employment decisions.
The project leverages the “Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB)” database, the industry’s most comprehensive repository providing detailed geolocation data of all export-oriented garment factories in Bangladesh. Factories included in this study will be selected from this database, ensuring accurate and relevant data.
Key Activities:
- Factory Survey:
CED will conduct surveys with factory management—primarily HR managers—to collect up-to-date job vacancy information. - Worker Survey & Information Dissemination:
BIGD will survey garment workers and share detailed job vacancy information about factories located within a 5-kilometer radius of their neighborhoods.
Objective and Context:
Many garment workers, particularly women, face challenges in accessing information about job opportunities and understanding the quality and characteristics of available positions. This lack of information often limits their ability to transition to better employment opportunities.
The study investigates the impact of a hybrid approach—combining digital (text messages) and in-person interventions—on improving labor market outcomes for garment workers. It aims to determine whether such targeted efforts can enhance employment access and empower workers within Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
By addressing these critical gaps, the project aligns with the WEE-Connect initiative’s broader goal of advancing women’s economic empowerment through innovative and inclusive solutions.
