Experts and economists on Tuesday suggested that the government not provide cash incentive to the apparel makers as they do not ensure due facilities for the female workers.
They also observed that the productivity of the garments sector can increase automatically if the owners give necessary supports such as transport, accommodation and day care facilities to the workers.
Their observations came at a consultation meeting on 'Implementation of Gender Responsive Budget 2019-20, organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) at its office in the city.
Dr Nazneen Ahmed, senior research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said productivity and development of the apparel sector will be sustainable if necessary facilities to the women workers can be ensured.
Otherwise, it will not be possible to maintain the growth of the sector through receiving cash incentive from the government over the years.
Citing example, she said some good categories of factories ensured support to women workers, which helped increase their productivity.
"So other non-compliant factories should follow the good practices," she added.
Ms Ahmed also said the allocation of gender budget should be specifically sector-wise that can help the women directly.
The government has proposed Tk 28.25 billion additional allocation for cash subsidy to apparel makers for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20.
The number of women workers declined to 62 per cent from 80 per cent due to different reasons, including lack of maternity care, baby care and workload in their families.
Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, professor of economics department at the University of Dhaka, said currently the rate of working women is 36 per cent in the country that indicates women empowerment could not be ensured so easily.
She recommended increasing the scope of jobs for women as well as recognising their household works in the economy. "Our curriculum is also not women-friendly, so a negative attitude grows about domestic works among the people from their childhood," Ms Bidisha said.
She, however, recommended allocating more money for the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry to enable it to give increased support to women workers abroad.
BMP president Ayesha Khanam moderated the meeting while Rekha Chowdhury, executive secretary (movement) of the organisation, presented a set of recommendations for the national budget.
Sohel Rana, programme analyst of UNwomen Bangladesh, among others, spoke at the meeting.
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