Housing Condition and Affordability of Ready-Made Garment Workers: A Case Study on Dhamsona Union, Savar

Abstract

Ready-made Garment is the largest manufacturing industry in Bangladesh and has a huge 
contribution to our economy. Though many workers are engaged in this sector, no proper 
initiatives for their accommodation have been adopted so far by the government and
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturing and Export Association. Affordable and suitable 
housing is associated with the health and well-being of the garment worker. This study 
explores the housing affordability of the garment workers at Dhamsona Union, Savar
Upazila using three methods- the housing cost approach, the non-housing cost approach, 
and the housing plus transportation index. Results show that in all the approaches, nearly 
84%, 58%, and 39% of the respondents live beyond their affordability range and overall, 
62% of the respondents are living in housing beyond their affordable limits in terms of 
their income. The housing quality of the workers lags far behind the international 
standard of worker housing. As the land price and housing rent are very high, they are 
forced to reside in substandard housing with inadequate housing facilities with their 
small income. Along with measuring housing affordability, this study also evaluates the 
current housing situation of garment workers who are living and working in the 
Dhamsona Union of Savar Upazila. The findings of this research can be used by 
government and non-government organizations in policy planning and implementation 
to ensure a decent and healthy housing environment and fulfilling the International 
Labour Organization standards.