BKMEA’s Ethical stance on Knitwear Industrial Chain
CSR can contribute a lot to community development. The corporate house can develop the community by creating employment, providing primary education, contribution to infrastructure development like road and high-ways and addressing environmental concerns. This is more relevant for a country like Bangladesh where the government interventions in these fields augmented by corporate alliance can go a long way in developing the economy, society and environment. Since, CSR entails working with stakeholders, it is important to work from within and diagnose the stakeholders; concerns so that CSR is truly embedded in the companies. By now, many CSR dimensions are practiced in Bangladesh.
Companies are now facing the challenges of adapting effectively to the changing environment in the context of globalization and in particular in the export sector. In the corporate world of the knitwear industry in Bangladesh, companies have gradually been attaching more importance to CSR in the local markets as well. They are increasingly aware that CSR can be of direct economic value. Companies can contribute to social and environmental objectives, through integrating CSR as a strategic investment into their core business strategy, management instruments and operations.
BKMEA is advocating CSR practices more poignantly & vociferously than ever before across the factory level for bringing in changes in industrial behaviorism. We keep faith in the system that Industrial development—both monetarily and physically—should entail social commitment that the effect of trickle-down economic theory goes down to the lower strata of the people of the society. The working class people of the knitwear industry have been in our centerpiece of CSR theme and BKMEA, as a labor-friendly organization, tries its best to ensure CSR practices across the industry level. We make them understand that this is an investment, not a cost, much like quality management. So, business organizations can thereby have an inclusive financial, commercial and social approach, leading to a long term strategy minimizing risks linked to uncertainty.
BKMEA has been conducting some CSR programmes that are instrumental for CSR activities to be popular across the factory level. As a representative organization of the Knitwear sector, we have commitment for the social corporate responsibility to be implanted. We cite few of such programs that have claimed huge acclamation both from home and abroad.
According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, globalization has set in motion forces that shift power from producers who make goods to customers who buy and use them. In market economies, if any single factor distinguishes the successful company or business it is putting the customer first. Successful companies build lasting relationships with customers by focusing their whole organization on understanding what the customers want and on providing them superior quality, reliability and service. Armand Feigenbaum, one of the pioneers in quality management, says companies which have successful quality programmes have a 10% cost advantage over competitors: “fewer defects mean less rework and wasted management time, lower costs, and higher customer retention”.
BKMEA is working on those issues to be implemented at the factories. Many BKMEA member factories are seriously performing CSR Commitments for the development and welfare of the society. They are using business ventures for the social well-being.
So, BKMEA is rightfully committed to making the knitwear sector of Bangladesh a vibrant force of CSR programmes!