Workers in Kumarkhali’s textile sector handle hazardous chemicals without protection while untreated dye waste pollutes the Gorai River, endangering health, biodiversity and livelihoods of surrounding communities.
Workers in a key textile-producing area of western Bangladesh are handling toxic chemicals with bare hands while untreated industrial waste flows directly into the Gorai River, posing serious risks to human health, ecosystems and downstream communities.
In Kumarkhali upazila, a growing hub for yarn and fabric processing, workers say economic necessity leaves them with little choice but to continue under unsafe conditions. “He knows the chemicals are harmful but he has to work to feed my family,” said Abul Hossain, who has spent nearly four decades dyeing yarn over open furnaces. He added that he frequently suffers from skin diseases.
The situation reflects a broader global challenge. Textile dyeing is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest sources of water pollution, often concentrated in low- and middle-income countries where environmental enforcement remains weak.
According to local estimates, there are 5,977 registered weavers under cooperative societies in Kumarkhali while around 37,000 people are directly or indirectly involved in the weaving sector. Many are engaged in dyeing processes that rely on acids, caustic soda and other hazardous chemicals.
In the municipal area alone, at least seven dyeing units and more than 50 vat-based facilities operate daily. Large volumes of chemicals are mixed with boiling water in open vats heated by wood-fired stoves. Workers immerse yarn into these mixtures with their bare hands, often without gloves, masks or protective clothing.
The wastewater generated from these processes is discharged untreated through narrow drainage channels, eventually flowing into the Gorai River, a major distributary of the Ganges and an important freshwater source for agriculture, fisheries and local livelihoods.
Field observations show sections of the river have become visibly discolored while a strong unpleasant odor lingers in surrounding areas. Environmental experts warn that such pollution is causing long-term ecological damage.
Researcher and environmentalist Gautam Kumar Ray said untreated dye waste is destroying fish breeding grounds and threatening aquatic biodiversity. “This is not just pollution. It is an ecological crisis that demands immediate intervention,” he said.
Local fisheries officials also confirmed that natural fish reproduction is being severely affected, raising concerns about food security for river-dependent communities.
Workers say the lack of safety measures stems from both poverty and weak enforcement. “We earn just enough to survive. Buying protective gear is not possible for us,” said one worker, requesting anonymity. Others claim factory owners rarely enforce safety standards.
A local factory owner, Masud Rana, said workers are advised to use protective equipment but acknowledged that compliance is inconsistent.
Labour and environmental advocates argue that responsibility is being shifted onto vulnerable workers while oversight remains inadequate. Despite discussions between authorities and factory operators, effective monitoring and enforcement are still lacking.
Mehedi Hasan, a local handloom official, said a government-supported water treatment plant is currently under construction and could help reduce pollution once operational. However, experts warn that delays in implementation may lead to irreversible environmental damage.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said the situation highlights deeper structural issues. “This is a clear case of environmental injustice where vulnerable workers are paying the price for systemic negligence. Without immediate enforcement of safety standards and installation of effective waste treatment systems, both human health and river ecosystems will continue to suffer,” he said.
The crisis in Kumarkhali mirrors challenges across global textile supply chains where the demand for low-cost production often comes at the expense of worker safety and Environmental protection.
Without urgent regulatory action, investment in cleaner technologies and accountability from industry and authorities, Kumarkhali’s textile sector risks becoming a stark example of unchecked industrial growth where economic survival comes at the cost of human health and environmental Sustainability.
