A 50 per cent increase in the adoption of advanced technologies, such as automation, could lead to the elimination of 17.57 lakh manufacturing jobs in Bangladesh, according to a recent study.

The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies has analysed the potential impact of technological advancements on the country’s labour force, estimating job losses under three scenarios: a 15 per cent increase in technological efficiency, a 30 per cent enhancement and a 50 per cent adoption of advanced technologies.

The findings paint a stark picture of the challenges ahead for apparel and textile workers in the face of rapid automation and innovation which presented on the second day of the Annual BIDS Conference on Development 2024 held at Lakeshore Hotel on Sunday.

The study ‘How would technological progress impact employment in the manufacturing sector of Bangladesh? An empirical projection’ identified apparel sector as the most affected sector.

It projected potential job losses of 2.55 lakh at a 15 per cent productivity increase, rising to 6.51 lakh for a 50 per cent increase in the apparel sector.

According to the study joinly presented by Dhaka University economics department assistant professor Mahtab Uddin and the BIDS research associate Farhin Islam showed that textile could be the second hardest hit manufacturing sector with up to 2.95 lakh jobs at risk under a 50 per cent technology up gradation.

The study mentioned that the non-metal products sector could see up to 4.34 lakh under a 50 per cent increase in technological efficiency.

Similarly, the food production sector, known for its reliance on manual labour, faces potential job cuts of up to 1.14 lakh the leather and leather goods industry could lose up to 45,697 jobs, pharmaceuticals sector, despite being less labour-intensive, may see 34,145 jobs displaced.

The furniture industry could lose up to 36,317 jobs as technological improvements in wood processing and assembly reshape production processes, study found.