Bangladesh Garment Workers Struggle with Childcare Despite Expanded Maternity Leave

Bangladesh's Parliament amended the labor law in April 2026, extending maternity benefits for eligible workers from 112 to 120 days. However, garment workers like Morsheda and Mina struggle to find reliable childcare options, often relying on relatives or informal care networks. The International Labour Organization notes that Bangladesh's traditional family-dependent care system is under pressure as work and migration patterns change. Garment factories often point to maternity policies and breastfeeding rooms as signs of progress, but these facilities may not be adequately staffed or accessible during long shifts. Morsheda and Mina's experiences reflect a wider childcare problem in urban Bangladesh, where formal options can be limited or unaffordable. Garment workers often move children between grandmothers, paid caregivers, and older children, affecting their children's education and well-being.