Int. J. BioRes.

1(2): 01-06

February, 2010

Nahar et al.

Full Length Research Paper

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN GARMENT SECTOR

N Nahar, R N Ali and *F Begum Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh *Correspondence: flora.ageco@gmail.com Accepted on 17 February 2010 ABSTRACT
The study analyzed the types and extent of occupational health hazards of the garment workers as well as the relationship of various health hazards with the age of the workers and the length of work in garments. Three garment factories from Konabari upazila under Gazipur district were selected purposively. The sample consisted of 90 workers taking 30 randomly from each of the three garment factories. Data were collected through personal interviews with the selected samples. It was found that work in the garment factory severely affected workers health, as they were confined in a closed environment. In the study area the particular nature of work in Readymade Garments created various types of health hazards among the selected respondents such as headache, malnutrition, musculoskeletal pain, eye strain, less appetite, chest pain, fainting, diarrheal disease, hepatitis (jaundice), food poisoning, asthma, fungal infection, helminthiasis, dermatitis. Results of the study showed that the highest 95.6 percent of the workers reported that they were affected by headache. In total 90, 58.89 percent respondents implied that their extent of headache was severe. 52.22 percent of the respondents opined that they suffered from severe malnutrition, followed by 78.89 percent by musculoskeletal pain, 72.22 percent by eye strain, 68.89 percent by malnutrition, respectively.

Keywords: Health hazards, Garments, Garment workers INTRODUCTION In a developing country like Bangladesh, Readymade Garment (RMG) sector plays an important role in the overall economic development. At present, approximately 20 lakh workers (among which 80% is female) are working in this sector which is a great source of employment (EPB, 2006). It is also mentionable that about 76% of our foreign exchange is earned by this sector (BGMEA, 2008). The garment industry of Bangladesh has been expanding rapidly since late 1970s (Zohir and Majumder, 1996). As new industries expand, the labour force grew with the economy of the country, at the same times the health hazards for those workers present there in various occupational diseases and accidents highly prevailed among the workers. According to WHO (1948), Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity. Occupational health hazard is concerned with health hazard in relation to work environment. The science of occupational health hazards covers a wide field, like work physiology, occupational hygiene, occupational psychology, occupational toxicology etc. (Harrington and Gill, 1990). The occupational health problems affecting workers of our country, in fact workers of any developing country are liable to be much more complicated and dangerous as compared to that of developed countries because of the reasons of: a) Poor health status due to poverty, overcrowding, illiteracy, malnutrition, higher prevalence of infections, parasite and other diseases, lack of adequate medical and health care facilities and a host of other factors. b) Non-industrial illnesses form a major part of the health problem of Garments workers. In fact incidence of many common illnesses like respiratory ailments (flue bronchitis, cough, asthma), tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, dysentery etc. are higher among industrial workers as compared to the general population. c) Sickness absenteeism the major contributory factor to the total absenteeism. The reasons for this high sickness absenteeism are very much varied and complicated but there is no doubt that the prevalence of sickness is high among our workers. One of the main reasons may be the payment of medical allowances in cash with wages in lieu of plant level medical treatment in kind (as per Industrial workers Wages and Productivity Commission). Effective health care measures taken at the place of employment to render immediate treatment at the early stages of many of these illnesses will cut short the course and will prevent the disablement due to sickness to a great extent. d) Lack of any laboratory facilities for monitoring, analyzing and assessing the harmful contaminants in the work environment and their effect on the health of the workers is causing health hazards. Very little is known about the health condition of the garment workers because specific study on health condition of garment workers was very limited. Nigam et al., (2007) conducted a study on Safety and health in chemical industry. The study addressed the present global industrial scenario, for any industry to be successful, it is essential to inculcate safety culture, health consciousness and environmental awareness in every employee of the organization. Paul- Majumder (2003) conducted a study on the physical and mental health status of garment workers and how problem affect labour productivity, competitiveness of the garment industry in the world market and the working life of the workers, particularly of female workers. It showed that various illnesses and diseases were widespread among the garment workers. A large number of 1

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workers were found to continue their work even they were suffering from various diseases and illness. Though the garment workers were very young they suffered from anemia, female diseases, dysentery, etc. Moreover, the competitiveness of the garment industry in the world market was seriously affected by the ill health of the workers, since ill health decreases the labour productivity to a great extent. Most of the health problems that the garment workers suffered from arose from the occupational hazards including long working hours, absence of leave facilities, congested and over-crowded working conditions, absence of health facilities and safety measures, absence of staff amenities, lack of safe drinking water etc. Garment workers constitute a lion share of the total labour force in the country, which bring most of the countrys foreign currency. But workers were exploited easily due to lack of technical knowledge and training. So, keeping the above view in mind the present study was undertaken to analyze the types of health hazards faced by the workers and to measure the extent of occupational health hazards. MATERIALS AND METHODS Konabari upazila under Gazipur district was selected purposively, where garment factories are available. Three garment factories were selected purposively considering the purpose of the researchers. A sample of 90 respondents, taking 30 from each factory was chosen randomly. Primary data were collected personally from the respondents through a sample survey with the help of a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. In this study, quantitative method like a survey method was chosen in order to get a reasonable true picture of the entire population. The data were collected during the period from February to April, 2009. Tabular method was used for a substantial part of data analysis. Relatively simple statistical techniques such as percentage and arithmetic mean or average were taken into account to analyze the data. In some cases, 2-test was used to test the extent of diseases which affected the workers health. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Patterns of diseases and illness Results of the study showed (Table 1) that the most frequent illness reported by 95.56 percent workers was affected by headache. Musculoskeletal pain was more prevalent among the garment workers. 78.89 percent respondents suffered from musculoskeletal pain problem. The third common complaint was eye strain. In general, 68.89 percent workers suffered from malnutrition. This occurred due to long hours of work and low quality of food that they took. Table 1: Patterns of diseases and illnesses Type No. of respondents Percentage Headache 86 95.56 Malnutrition 62 68.89 Musculoskeletal pain 71 78.89 Eye Strain 65 72.22 Less appetite 49 54.44 Chest pain 40 44.44 Fainting 57 63.33 Diarrheal diseases 57 63.33 Hepatitis (Jaundice) 30 33.33 Food poisoning 43 47.78 Asthma 49 54.44 Fungal infection 54 60.00 Helminthiasis 53 58.89 Dermatitis 47 52.22 Source: Field survey, 2009 Length of work and diseases The longer duration of time during which a worker is exposed to a certain hazardous agent may greatly increased the health hazards of the workers involved in garments. On the other hand reduction of time during which a worker is exposed to a certain hazardous agent may reduce the health hazards. This can be achieved through work practices, rotation of worker or administrative control. The relationship between length of work and diseases are presented in Table 2. Among the ninety respondents, 58.89 percent respondents implied that their extent of headache was severe. The 2 value implied that there exist a significant positive relationship between length of work and headache and severity of headache proportionately increase with the length of work. It is evident from Table 2 that there exist a significant positive relationship between length of work and malnutrition. 52.22 percent respondents implied that their malnutrition was severe due to over time, not to take meal at appropriate time, overload of work etc. Besides, that worker who was involved in garments for a long period of time, their malnutrition problem was severe and vice versa. 2

Int. J. BioRes. 1(2): 01-06

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Table 2: Relationship between length of work and diseases

Name of diseases Intensity Headache
Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total

Length of work <2 2-4

3 17 11 3 34 22 1 5 6 34 15 1 7 11 34 20 0 7 7 34 27 4 3 34 32 0 1 1 34 20 9 5 34 22 7 5 34 29 3 2 34 27 0 5 2 34 28 4 2 34 22 1 11 34 22 1 3 8 34 24 1 2 7 34 1 1 4 16 22 5 2 7 8 22 4 0 4 14 22 5 1 6 10 22 12 3 7 22 13 1 3 5 22 10 5 7 22 10 6 6 22 20 1 1 22 14 1 2 5 22 12 7 3 22 12 3 7 22 12 0 3 7 22 13 0 4 5 22

2 4-6
0 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 8 8 0 0 1 7 8 1 0 7 8 1 0 0 7 8 1 2 5 8 0 2 6 8 5 1 2 8 2 0 2 4 8 0 1 7 8 0 3 5 8 0 0 3 5 8 1 0 2 5 8

P-value

6-8
0 0 0 10 10 0 0 0 10 10 0 0 0 10 10 0 0 0 10 10 0 1 9 10 1 0 0 7 10 1 1 8 10 0 0 10 10 2 2 6 10 1 0 1 8 10 1 0 9 10 0 1 9 10 0 0 1 9 10 1 0 1 8 10

8-10
0 0 0 16 16 1 0 0 15 16 0 0 0 16 16 0 0 0 16 16 1 1 14 16 3 0 0 15 16 1 1 14 16 1 1 14 16 4 0 12 16 3 0 2 11 16 0 0 16 16 2 0 14 16 3 0 0 13 16 4 0 0 12 16

Total
4 (4.44) 18 (20) 15 (16.67) 53 (58.89) 90 (100) 28 (31.11) 3 (3.33) 12 (13.33) 47 (52.22) 90 (100) 19 (21.11) 1 (1.11) 11 (12.22) 59 (65.55) 90 (100) 25 (27.78) 1 (1.11) 14 (15.56) 50 (55.55) 90 (100) 41 (45.55) 9 (10) 40 (44.44) 90 (100) 50 (55.55) 1 (1.11) 4 (4.44) 35 (38.89) 90 (100) 33 (36.67) 18 (20) 39 (43.33) 90 (100) 33 (36.67) 16 (17.78) 41 (45.56) 90 (100) 60 (66.67) 7 (7.78) 23 (25.56) 90 (100) 47 (52.22) 1 (1.11) 12 (13.33) 30 (33.33) 90 (100) 41 (45.56) 12 (13.33) 37 (41.11) 90 (100) 36 (40) 8 (8.89) 46 (51.11) 90 (100) 37 (41.11) 1 (1.11) 10 (11.11) 42 (46.67) 90 (100) 43 (47.78) 1 (1.11) 9 (10) 37 (41.11) 90 (100)

63.368

0.000

Malnutrition

57.160

0.000

Musculoskeletal Pain

36.064

0.000

Eye Strain

49.723

0.000

Less Appetite

49.723

0.000

Chest Pain

61.462

0.000

Fainting

33.259

0.000

Diarrhoeal Diseases Hepatitis (Jaundice) Food Poisoning

45.791

0.000

43.800

0.000

39.337

0.000

Asthma

71.177

0.000

Fungal Infection

38.541

0.000

Helminthiasis

37.146

0.000

Dermatitis

32.527

0.000

Source: Field Survey, 2009

Int. J. BioRes. 1(2): 01-06

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Nahar et al.

Table 2 also indicates the relationship between length of work and musculoskeletal pain and eye strain. The respondents replied that both of the diseases were existed among the garments workers and those who were involved in the garments sector for a long period of time, the diseases were severe. The 2 value implied that there exist a significant positive relationship between length of work and musculoskeletal pain with eye strain. Diarrheal diseases transmitted by faeco-oral route. It is commonly related to poor sanitation and poor socioeconomic status. 45.56 percent respondents mentioned that they had diarrheal diseases in severe condition. 36.67 percent replied that they had not affected by diarrheal diseases yet and the amount of absenteeism of diarrheal diseases was high on those who were involved in the garments sector less than two years. The 2 value implied that there exist a significant positive relationship between length of work and diarrheal diseases. Asthma is a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) because it progress very slowly over many years. It is commonly occurred due to inhalation of dust particle which causes chronic irritation of lungs. Asthma is commonly related to garments industry due to production of excessive dust like, cotton during preparation and handling of garments product. From Table 2 it is clear that asthma is related with length of work. 41.11 percent responded that the extent of asthma is severe for them and it also depends on length of work. The explanation is same for fungal infection, helminthiasis and dermatitis. These three diseases were closely related to length of work. Those who had less work experience the existence of these disease was absence on the other hand who involved in the garments sector for a long time the existence of these diseases was severe. The 2 value also indicated that there exist a significant positive relationship between length of work and fungal infection, helminthiasis and dermatitis. Age category and diseases Table 3 shows that there existed a significant relationship between age and headache. The highest 58.89 percent of the respondents affected by headache severely. The 2 value also indicate that there exist a significant positive relationship between age and headache. So that the extent of headache increase with the increase of age and vice versa. It is evident that 52.22 percent of the respondents opined that they suffered from severe malnutrition. But the value of 2 indicates that there exist no significant relationship between age and malnutrition. Table 3 shows the relationship between age and musculoskeletal pain and eye strain of the respondents. In total 90, 65.55 and 55.55 percent of the respondents implied that their extent of musculoskeletal pain and eye strain was severe respectively. On the other hand, the existence of musculoskeletal pain and eye strain was chronologically increased depending on their age. The 2 value also implied a significant positive relationship between age and musculoskeletal pain and eye strain. From the Table 3 it is clear that there exist a significant relationship between age and other types of diseases like fainting, diarrhoeal diseases, hepatitis, food poisoning and asthma. But there was no significant relationship among age and fungal infection, helminthiasis and dermatitis. Table 3: Relationship between age category and diseases
Name of diseases Intensity Headache
Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total

Age category 20 21-25

0 11 5 6 22 10 0 3 9 22 6 0 5 11 22 9 0 5 8 22 15 3 4 22 3 4 5 21 33 10 2 7 14 33 9 0 6 18 33 12 1 7 13 33 18 3 12 33

26-30
1 1 4 21 27 5 1 2 19 27 3 0 0 24 27 1 0 2 24 27 5 2 20 27

31-35
0 2 1 5 8 3 0 0 5 8 1 1 0 6 8 3 0 0 5 8 3 1 4 8

Total
4 (4.44) 18 (20) 15 (16.67) 53 (58.89) 90 (100) 28 (31.11) 3 (3.33) 12 (13.33) 47 (52.22) 90 (100) 19 (21.11) 1 (1.11) 11 (12.22) 59 (65.55) 90 (100) 25 (27.78) 1 (1.11) 14 (15.56) 50 (55.55) 90 (100) 41 (45.56) 9 (10) 40 (44.44) 90 (100)

2 23.762

P-value 0.005

Malnutrition

11.017

0.275

Musculoskeletal Pain

23.796

0.005

Eye Strain

22.157

0.008

Less Appetite

17.820

0.007

(continued) 4

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Table 3: Relationship between age category and diseases (continued)

Chest Pain
Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total Absence Mild Moderate Severe Total 20 0 1 1 22 9 6 7 22 14 3 5 22 20 1 1 22 17 0 3 2 22 15 4 3 22 13 1 8 22 13 0 2 7 22 14 0 2 6 22 20 1 1 11 33 16 7 10 33 12 8 13 33 23 4 6 33 18 1 6 8 33 16 7 10 33 14 3 16 33 14 1 4 14 33 16 01 4 12 33 7 0 2 18 27 7 2 18 27 4 3 20 27 12 2 13 27 6 0 2 19 27 7 0 20 27 6 3 18 27 7 0 3 17 27 10 0 2 15 27 3 0 0 5 8 1 3 4 8 3 2 3 8 5 0 3 8 6 0 1 1 8 3 1 4 8 3 1 4 8 3 0 1 4 8 3 0 1 4 8 50 (55.55) 1 (1.11) 4 (4.44) 35 (38.89) 90 (100) 33 (36.67) 18 (20) 39 (43.33) 90 (100) 33 (36.67) 16 (17.78) 41 (45.56) 90 (100) 60(66.67) 7(7.78) 23(25.56) 90(100) 47(52.22) 1 (1.11) 12(13.33) 30(33.33) 90(100) 41(45.56) 12(13.33) 37(41.11) 90(100) 36(40) 8(8.89) 46(51.11) 90(100) 37(41.11) 1(1.11) 10(11.11) 42(46.67) 90(100) 43(47.78) 1(1.11) 9(10) 37(41.11) 90(100)

26.041

0.002

Fainting

12.901

0.045

Diarrhoeal Diseases

17.506

0.008

Hepatitis (Jaundice)

16.070

0.013

Food Poising

28.001

0.001

Asthma

22.728

0.001

Fungal Infection

7.196

0.303

Helminthiasis

7.858

0.549

Dermatitis

6.845

0.653

Source: Field survey, 2009 Working environment in the garments Control technology in occupational health comprises a set of measures and techniques which aim at elimination and reduction of exposures to harmful agents in the working environment. The ultimate aim is to prevent the adverse health effects among workers. Perceptions of respondents regarding the favorable working environment in garments are presented in Table 4. Table 4: Perception of respondents regarding the unfavorable working environment in garments Working environment No Sufficient lighting 54 (60) Sufficient hygienic condition 67 (74) Sufficient aeration 72 (80) Separate toilet for women 36 (40) Source: Field survey, 2009 Lighting, hygienic condition, aeration were not sufficient in the garments as more than half of the respondents opined against these three indicators. The highest number of respondents (80 percent) implied that there was no sufficient aeration in garments. 60 percent of the respondents mentioned that there were separate toilet facilities for the women. CONCLUSION A large proportion of populations are engaged in RMG sectors in Bangladesh. Any unwanted and unusual health hazards will make of great effect on total populations. Health is a joint responsibility of both government and employing authority. There is a great scope to improve upon the existing health status of the workers, in order to raise a healthy economy for a healthier 5 Distribution of respondents Yes 36 (40) 23 (26) 18 (20) 54 (60)

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nation. It can be said that no recommendation can be successfully implemented if all actors, that is, the government of Bangladesh, garment employers, NGOs and above all the workers do not work together, since all the policy recommendations entail a high cost. It is true that the government of Bangladesh has very limited resources to invest in the health sector, but it can encourage the employers to invest in garment workers health by providing tax rebate or tax holiday as incentives. The government must be diligent in implementing the labor laws. The employers must use all the facilities provided by the government for the good of the workers. REFERENCES BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) Members Directory. 2008. Annual Report. Dhaka, Bangladesh. pp.4-7. EPB (Export Promotion Bureau). 2006. Ministry of Commerce. Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Harrington, J. M. and F. S. Gill. 1989. Occupational Health. Blackwell Scientific Publications, London. Nahar, N. 2009. Occupational Health Hazards in Garments Sector: A Study in Gazipur District. Unpublished MS Thesis submitted to the Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Nigam, N. C., Maheshwari, A. K.and N. P. Roa. 2007. Safety and Health in Chemical Industry. Indian J. of Fertilizers. Vol. 3(7): 13-20, 23-26. Paul-Majumder, P. 2003. Health Status of the Garment Workers in Bangladesh. Arambagh, Motijheel, Dhaka: Bangladesh at Associates Printing Press. WHO, World Health Organization. 1948. Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. Zohir, S. C. and P. Majumder. 1996. Garment Workers in Bangladesh: Economic, Social and Health Condition. Hoque Printer, Arambag, Dhaka.