In one of Dhaka’s largest garment factories, a young woman swiftly sewed a piece of grey fabric and passed it down the production line. She impatiently awaited the next piece, willing her colleague to work faster.
Above her sewing machine, a screen emitted a red warning—she had completed only seven pieces so far, against a daily target of 101. The screen’s colour would shift to orange as she progressed and turn green if she met her target. Failure to maintain pace consistently could result in dismissal.
* Automation in garment factories is leading to job cuts, especially for women.
* Smart surveillance devices monitor workers as factories struggle t...