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This research investigates how the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has affected female employees in Bangladesh's Ready-made Garments (RMG) and textile industries. Using a qualitative methodological approach, data from eight interviews and one unstructured focus group with female employees and industry stakeholders were gathered. Additionally, five key informant interviews were conducted with industry experts. Analysis of these data revealed that female workers in the RMG and textile industries perceive a threat to their employment due to the declining value of their current skills in the market. The study also suggests that transitioning to new jobs or finding alternative employment will be a challenge without adequate training and support from the government and industry authorities to equip these workers with skills relevant to 4IR-based occupations. The study concludes that enhancing these workers' preparedness through reskilling and upskilling initiatives is crucial. Furthermore, the study recommends that the relevant authorities devise and implement comprehensive policies addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by 4IR, especially for female workers in the RMG and textile sectors in Bangladesh. The findings of this study will be beneficial to Governments beyond Bangladesh, policymakers, industry owners, professionals, female workers and other stakeholders in this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh's Ready-Made Garments contribute significantly to the country's economy and employment. In Bangladesh, spontaneous outbursts are usually caused by Ready-Made Garment workers due to inadequate pay, unpaid wages, and compensation for overtime work. Since these three criteria affect workers' job satisfaction, and some socio-demographic characteristics such as age, education, gender, marital status also influence job satiety, finally, all of these were needed to be studied in a single research study to narrate the impact of pay scale on garment workers, which had not done yet with the aid of nonparametric tests. So this research explored the impact of the 2018 revised minimum wage policy by examining workers' perceptions of wages, including basic pay, overtime compensation, various allowances (housing, medical, food, transportation), and the degree of workers' satisfaction within a group based on demographic traits. 80 responses, according to convenience sampling, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The results highlighted dissatisfaction with basic pay, late payments, medical, and housing allowances but higher satisfaction with overtime compensation and transportation stipends. The study also found no significant difference in overall satisfaction with the wage structure based on gender or marital status, but it showed that aged, more educated workers are, for some reason, happier. Thus, the findings provide important insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, shedding light on timely payment with a revised pay scale according to the present circumstances, considering worker needs like medical, housing allowances, etc. and creating an environment to involve women and young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We analyze matched employee–employer data from Ethiopia's largest special economic zone during a period of downsizing pressure from the COVID-19 world import demand shock. We observe substantial job displacement during the shock peak, particularly for new hires. These largely female and rural-to-urban migrants persistently "fall off the employment ladder", remaining unemployed both within and outside the zone even after employers have recovered from the shock. We observe high levels of urban-centered food insecurity and depression symptoms during the crisis peak, regardless of employment status. Our findings highlight the importance of social protection policies within export-oriented development strategies. • Ethiopia's garment industry contracted dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. • We analyze worker employment and well-being during this period of downsizing. • We observe substantial job loss during the shock peak, driven by recent hires. • Displaced workers remain unemployed after shock. • There are high levels of urban-centered food insecurity and depression symptoms [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]