CSR Practices in the RMG sector of Bangladesh

Abstract

In respect of evaluating CSR practices in the RMG sector the focus remains on addressing three issues of CSR: (a) labour rights and workplace conditions; (b) environmental management, and (c) involvement in social and community development and philanthropic activities. The labour and workplace, and environment related CSR are very burning issues in the whole RMG sector. These issues of CSR are practised in the RMG sector in the form of ‘social compliance’ and therefore in the following discussion the term ‘social compliance’ is prominently used. The main drivers of this practice are the international stakeholders meaning the buyers, customers and investors. Upon the pressure of international market demand the whole RMG sector is more concerned with the application of labour, workplace and environment-related CSR issues to protect its business in the foreign market, as it is the biggest source of export earnings at 76 % of the total.