The Impacts of COVID-19 on the Social and Emotional Well-Being of Women Garment Workers in Bangladesh

Throughout the world, the COVID-19 epidemic has significantly affected the lives of people, especially those of underprivileged groups like women garment workers. Due to their socioeconomic level, gender, and working circumstances, Bangladeshi women who work in the garment industry are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The pandemic has exacerbated preexisting vulnerabilities of these workers in many ways, including job loss, reduced income, increased workload, and stress related to health concerns. The objective of this book chapter is to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the social and emotional well-being of women garment workers in Bangladesh. Hence, the chapter designs to address the underlying inquiries: What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and emotional well-being of women garment workers in Bangladesh? What are the difficulties experienced by women garment workers as a result of the pandemic? How can policymakers and stakeholders mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on the well-being of women garment workers in Bangladesh? To address these research questions, the study is based on secondary literature that reviews various journal articles, annual reports, and newspaper reports. The chapter provides an overview of the socioeconomic circumstances facing Bangladeshi women who work in the garment industry as well as how vulnerable they are to the pandemic. The chapter concludes with recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on the welfare of Bangladeshi women garment workers. Overall, this chapter contributes to the growing body of research on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable communities and underscores the need for targeted interventions to address the social and emotional well-being of women garment workers in Bangladesh.