The leather goods market in Bangladesh has huge potential with the increasing disposable income of the middle and upper-middle-class families. The GDP growth at over 5% over the last decade shows the strength of the economy and its resilience. The leather industry is the 2nd largest export sector in Bangladesh and leather sector’s exports cross $1billion in 2015. This report has been prepared by collecting information through websites; annual report of several tanneries, various book articles regarding the leather industry.
The entire report is the combination of four portions. Chapter one is the introduction part of the report.it describes the introduction, methodology, export performance and limitation of the report. The purpose of this report is to provide a thorough idea about the leather and leather goods industry in context to the global and Bangladesh scenario. The problem and limitation that I faced during the preparation of this report is the lack of experience for the analyzing data and maximum data collected from secondary data. Chapter two describe the Growth and current performance, labor, and management technology, and Export Potential summary of the leather oriented articles. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Leather industry in Bangladesh
1.2 History of leather and tannery industry in bangladesh
1.3 Livestock in Bangladesh
1.4 Methodology
2. Growth and current performance
2.1 labor and management
2.2 technology
2.3 Export Potential
3 Leather Goods Manufacturing of Bangladesh
3.1. Small leather goods/Fancy leather goods
3.2. Medium leather goods
3.3 Heavy leather goods
4. Objectives
5. Overview and analysis of leather industry
5.1 PESTEL Analysis
5.2 Environment pollution and negative effect on workers health
5.3 Toxic Effects on Health
5.4 Health Problems of Tannery Workers
5.5 SWOT analysis
5.6 Limitations Faced by the Industry
6. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS
7. Conclusion and Recommendations
7.1 Conclusion
7.2 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
This undergraduate thesis aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the leather and leather goods industry in Bangladesh, evaluating its current economic performance, technological landscape, and the significant challenges regarding environmental and labor safety. It explores the industry's potential to become a major foreign exchange earner while addressing the systemic hurdles that impede its modernization and global competitiveness.
- Economic potential and export performance of the Bangladeshi leather sector.
- Technological status and the necessity for industrial modernization.
- Environmental impacts of tannery operations on the Buriganga river and local ecosystems.
- Occupational health risks and safety concerns for tannery workers.
- Strategic analysis (SWOT and PESTEL) of the industry's business environment.
Excerpt from the Book
5.4 Health Problems of Tannery Workers
Hazaribagh tanneries are operating right in the middle of the city, in the middle of the residential areas and they are continuing to pollute the environment including the major rivers of the city, year after year. Many city dwellers live on sites prone to hazards, where people are living ignorantly in one of the worst polluted areas in the world. Nobody knows how much harm and potential carcinogen diseases will occur in these slum inhabitants. There are about 25000 to 30,000 tannery workers, rising to about 35,000 for two or three months following the festival Eid-ul-Adha, the peak season for rawhide processing in Hazaribagh. A study on the health of tannery workers found high morbidity among tannery workers. The report found that 58 % of the tannery workers suffer from gastrointestinal disease (versus 24% for the country as a whole), 31% from skin diseases (versus 9%), 12% from hypertension (versus 0.9%) and 19% from jaundice (versus 0.07%). 37% of workers reported experiencing workplace accidents. A study in 2008 found that exposure to chromium via skin contact with the soil and water (while bathing) represented unacceptably high risks to the health of adults and children living in Hazaribagh. Environment and Human Development (SEHD), a Dhaka based non- government organization has reported that about 90% of tannery workers in Hazaribagh die before they reach the age of 50 due to the toxic working environment. More than 90% of tannery workers suffer from some kind disease, from asthma to cancer, due to chemical exposure, according to a survey by SEHD in 2008.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the leather manufacturing process and the historical context of the industry's significance within the Bangladeshi economy.
2. Growth and current performance: Analyzes the industry's export trends, labor force dynamics, and technological capabilities relative to global standards.
3. Leather Goods Manufacturing of Bangladesh: Details the various categories of leather production, including small, medium, and heavy goods, and their specific manufacturing requirements.
4. Objectives: Outlines the research goals focused on the critical analysis of the industry's impact, development, and modernization efforts.
5. Overview and analysis of leather industry: Conducts a deep dive into the sector through PESTEL and SWOT frameworks, while detailing the severe environmental and health consequences of unregulated tannery operations.
6. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Synthesizes the core arguments regarding the industry's growth potential versus the structural and environmental risks present.
7. Conclusion and Recommendations: Offers final insights into the industry's future trajectory and provides actionable recommendations for government intervention and industrial policy.
Keywords
Bangladesh, Leather Industry, Tannery, Export, Footwear, Environment, Pollution, Chromium, Health Risks, Labor, Manufacturing, Economic Growth, Sustainability, PESTEL, SWOT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on the leather and leather goods industry in Bangladesh, analyzing its role in the national economy, its growth trajectory, and the critical socio-environmental challenges it faces.
What are the central themes of the research?
The central themes include industrial performance, technological advancement, environmental degradation in the Buriganga watershed, occupational health of tannery workers, and the strategic outlook for the sector.
What is the core objective of the work?
The objective is to conduct a critical analysis of the leather industry's impact on Bangladesh, covering its modernization needs, government support systems, and the potential for future foreign investment.
Which scientific methods were applied in this report?
The research relies on secondary data analysis, utilizing reports from the Export Promotion Bureau, government statistics, industry brochures, academic articles, and existing environmental studies.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines the growth performance, labor and management practices, detailed manufacturing processes for different leather goods, and a comprehensive SWOT and PESTEL analysis of the industry.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Bangladesh leather industry, export-oriented manufacturing, environmental pollution, tannery waste, occupational health, and strategic growth analysis.
How does the relocation of tanneries to Savar impact small manufacturers?
The relocation poses significant financial risks to small and micro-enterprises, as the government has primarily facilitated the move for large tanneries, leaving small manufacturers to face high costs for land outside the designated zone.
What are the primary health hazards faced by tannery workers?
Workers are exposed to toxic chemicals such as chromium and other heavy metals, leading to high rates of gastrointestinal diseases, skin conditions, respiratory issues, and increased risks of cancer.
Why is the "green factory" initiative considered important for the future?
The initiative is vital for aligning with international standards, improving product value through eco-friendly branding, and addressing the severe pollution concerns that currently hinder global market acceptance.
- Citar trabajo
- Fajlea Rabby (Autor), 2017, Leather industry and its future in Bangladesh, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/416080
