Occupational Health Hazard, Reproductive Health and Domestic Violence against Women RMG Workers and their Effects on Workers’ Productivity

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the current state of women RMG workers’ occupational health and safety, reproductive health, working environment and domestic violence and their possible effects on productivity. Methodology: A cross sectional study has been conducted with structured questionnaire to collect data from 493 female garments workers of 44 readymade garments factories of Bangladesh. The collected data tested by using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) techniques with SMART PLS-4.0. Findings: The study result shows that occupational health, occupational safety, reproductive health, working environment and domestic violence have moderate effects on worker’s productivity and only occupational health and reproductive health have positive significant effects on worker’s productivity. However, occupational safety, working environment and domestic violence have no significant impacts on workers productivity. Practical Implications: To increase productivity, create a comfortable working space with the lighting, ventilation, safety gear, and hazard prevention measures and promote a positive attitude among management-level employees and also establish a counseling center for the female employees to ensure good reproductive health. Originality/Value: Literature shows that no previous study considered the combined effects of domestic violence, reproductive health, work environment, occupational safety, and domestic violence on worker’s productivity. The Maslow hierarchy of needs theory served as the inspiration for this investigation. In light of this, this study investigates the main working environmental factors generating low productivity in Bangladesh's RMG industries. Limitations: This study is based on quantitative data analysis. In future qualitative research may be conducted for in depth study.