Role of Garment Industry Authorities in Protecting the Rights of Female Workers: A Case Study in Dhaka City

This study examines the role of garment industry authorities in safeguarding the rights of female workers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 200 female workers across five industrial zones through surveys, interviews, and observations.The findings reveal persistent challenges in working conditions, wage equity, maternity support, and awareness of legal rights.Despite reforms enhancing workplace safety and formal employment structures, gender-specific concerns such as harassment prevention and equitable wage policies remain inadequately addressed.Institutional responses, particularly from factory management and government bodies, are perceived as ineffective by the majority of workers.The study concludes with recommendations for stronger policy enforcement, legal literacy programs, and inclusive stakeholder engagement to promote gender-equitable labor practices in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.