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Livelihood Pattern of Rural Women Garment Workers at Dhaka City

R.N. Ali
Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

F. Begum
Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.M. Salehin
Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

K.S. Farid
Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was an attempt to analyse the economic, social and health conditions of women garment workers as well as their livelihood pattern. Three garment factories from Mirpur area under Dhaka district were selected purposively. The sample consisted of 90 women workers taking 30 randomly from each of the three garment factories. Data were collected through personal interviews with the selected samples. It was found that most of the respondents migrated to Dhaka because of their extreme poverty or insolvency. Few respondents had brought positive changes in their financial capital, decision marking and empowerment etc. The study revealed that 63.33 percent respondent’s livelihood pattern has improved after involving in garment factory. Some diseases like eye trouble, headache, ear ache etc to be more prevalent among the women garment workers due to their involvement in garment factories. Incidence of physical weakness among the garment workers was very high. Women are exploited easily due to lack of technical knowledge and training. The employers do not pay any heed to this exploitation.

Keywords: Rural women, Urban garments, Livelihood, Garment workers

Location: Mirpur upazila under Dhaka district

Start Date: 00-00-2008

End Date: 00-00-2008

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Gender issue

Objectives:

1. To know about the present socio-economic status of women working in garment sector; 2. To explore reasons of women’s involvement in garment sector; 3. To identify major changes in livelihood took place after involvement in garments; and 4. To explore the empowerment issues of women garment workers.

Methodology:

Mirpur upazila under Dhaka district was selected purposively, where garment factories are available. Three factories were selected purposively considering the purpose of the researchers. A sample of 90 respondents, taking 30 from each factory was chosen randomly. Primary data were collected personally from the respondents through a sample survey with the help of a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. In this study, quantitative method like a survey method was chosen in order to get a reasonably true picture of the entire population. The data were collected during the period from February to April, 2008. Tabular method was used for a substantial part of data analysis. Relatively simple statistical techniques such as percentage and arithmetic mean or average were taken into account to analyse the data and to describe socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, type of work, length of services, etc.

Source of Information: J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 6(2): 449–456, 2008; ISSN 1810-3030

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Findings of the survey showed that 71.1 percent women entered the garment factory to help their family financially. It appeared that about 72 percent female workers got salary in the 1st week of the month. Only 12.2 percent responded that their financial capital like household saving has increased after involving garment factory. The study also discovered that work at the garments was exhausting the health of the work force. Poor ventilation in the workroom is one of the dominant reasons for most of the garment worker’s illnesses like headache, fainting, vomiting tendency, etc. Mental stress arising out of job insecurity can eliminated to a large extent if workers are given a formal appointment letter. Low level of education among the female workers was responsible for most of the socioeconomic problem facing the female workers in the garment industry. Hence, measures need to be adopted to encourage enrollment of girls, especially in secondary education and above, in order to improve their efficiency and reduce gender differential in wages.

Knowledge Management: Journal