Factors influencing work-satisfaction of global garments supply chain workers in Bangladesh

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess different factors under the Bangladesh labour legislation for promoting work-satisfaction of the global garment workers in Bangladesh. A convenient sampling technique was used for collecting 208 employee responses through a five-point Likert scale structured questionnaire. The respondents were garments-manufacturing industry workers working in three hot spots known as towns of Savar and Ashulia (Dhaka District) and Gazipur Sadar (Gazipur District). The survey was conducted between November and December, 2019. This research study finds that seven factors significantly influence work-satisfaction of garment workers in Bangladesh. Among these, four are related to the non-pecuniary factors: supervisory treatment of the workers, working environment, hygienic canteen facility, and medical facility. The three other factors, namely, the amount of salary, timely payment of salary and increment policy for the workers, play a significant part in workers’ satisfaction. This study helps in assessing the opinions of the workers about their work-satisfaction as well as policy planning for the development of the garments-manufacturing industry. Also, this study will add value to the setting of South Asian developing countries and industries because of the similar socio-economic environment to Bangladesh.

Assessment of Both Personal and Professional Aspects to Measure Job Satisfaction Levels among Garment Workers: Empirical Evidence from a Developing Country

“…The results further suggested that overall job satisfaction was pointedly higher among the satisfied respondents than that of the dissatisfied respondents. Several investigators, i.e., Asikullah [ 22 ]; Shan et al [ 73 ]; Syed and Mahmud [ 19 ]; Arslan [ 80 ]; Hechanova and Manaois [ 81 ]; Shi, Gordon and Tang [ 89 ] also found a significant impact of professional aspects on the overall job satisfaction of the respondents, which inveterate the outcomes of the present study.…”

“…Job security, working conditions, having high compared earnings, functional flexibility, and high involvement management practices are job and organizational characteristics that are positively related to job satisfaction [ 77 ]. Syed and Mahmud [ 19 ] found that the three additional factors—salary amount, prompt payment of salaries, and employee advancement policies—also have a big impact on workers’ satisfaction. The relationship between job satisfaction and the workplace, employees are more likely to enjoy their work when they feel comfortable.…”

“…Bangladesh’s apparel industry is crucial to the country’s economic and financial progression [ 17 ]. Employees in the garment industry are constantly under pressure to meet the demands of the global marketplace [ 18 ] because Bangladesh’s garment industry is one of the most demanding in the world [ 19 ]. The only thing that will encourage them to perform at a high level is job satisfaction [ 20 ].…”

“…Keeping employees pleased benefits a business in many ways, including decreased turnover, greater productivity, increased profitability, a better brand impression, a devoted customer base, and a long-lasting effect on the macroeconomic indicators of the nation [ 32 ]. It is a great shock that the garment industry contributes the most to the economy, followed by remittances, but neither government nor non-government institutions are sufficiently aware of the fundamental rights of the garment workers who have allowed us to compete on the world market [ 19 ]. Therefore, there are some egotistical owners of the clothing industry who tend to pay low wages and make their employees work hard to increase their profit margins.…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on garment workers in order to understand their attitudes toward and behaviors at work, which will help to improve measure satisfaction levels and lead to better labor relations in Bangladeshi garment factories. Although numerous studies on job satisfaction and its various aspects have been carried out in developed nations [ 5 , 19 , 20 , 31 ], Bangladesh and the garment industry in particular have seen a dearth of research. Due to the differences in socioeconomic conditions, studies completed in developed nations cannot be generalized to Bangladesh.…”