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Livelihood Pattern and Security of Women Working in Shrimp Processing Industries Located in Southwest Bangladesh

K. M. Rezaul Karim*
Department of Sociology, Government B. L. College, Khulna-9202, Bangladesh

Selina Ahmed
Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Women play a crucial role in household management in Bangladesh. Economic responsibilities of the family are always expected to be borne by men. However, nowadays the number of women’s participation in local and national economic sector is increasing rapidly. Shrimp processing industry is one of the foreign currency earning industries of the country and plays a vital role in including women in the economic sector. However, compared to men in these industries, women still have a marginalized and vulnerable position. This paper assesses the livelihood pattern and security of women working in shrimp processing industries located in and around Khulna city. Mostly the illiterate (78.3%), young (below-22 years 52.5%) and married (70%) women work in these industries. These work forces are mainly migrants from the adjacent districts. They are having very low income (77.5% below Tk 2500 per month) and they live in houses made off golpata, bamboo, konchi, tin etc. They work there as temporary low skilled labors. A number of problems such as, oppression by co-workers and others, lack of job security, mal-adjustment with officials and co-workers, communication problem with higher authorities, look down upon by the society, live under suspicion of husband and others, gender discrimination, unequal rights in socio-economic life, etc. have been identified responsible for various physical, mental, social and professional insecurities for the women working in shrimp industries.

Keywords: Women security, Livelihood security, Marginalized women, Shrimp processing industries, Southwest Bangladesh

Location: Khulna city and adjacent Rupsha thana

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Livelihood, Female, Shrimp processing industry

Objectives:

Apart from shrimp processing industries, some supporting factories also developed within the period. These factories play a crucial role in increasing employment opportunities in the area. Their multipurpose influence helps the growth and development of shrimp processing industries in the area. The present study highlights the livelihood pattern and security of the women working in the shrimp processing industries located in southwest Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Twenty out of 56 shrimp processing industries developed in Khulna city and adjacent Rupsha thana are export-oriented large scale industries and are supported by 36 other industries (SAFE, 2004). A recent survey observed that about 29 industries are in operation (Ahmed, 2007). Ten of these operating processing industries are selected purposively as representative for the present study. Social survey and some case studies have been conducted on 120 women workers to collect primary data. Secondary data source also have considered for the present study.

Source of Information: Khulna University Studies Special Issue (SESB 2010): 95-100: June, 2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is obvious that in the age of globalization women in Bangladesh are being exploited as cheap source of labour in different industrial sectors. Shrimp processing sector one at. The change from traditional to industrial shrimp farming that is rapidly taking place might bring short term benefits to the government and the large-scale shrimp investors due to foreign currency generation, but the environmental and social costs associated with the industry by far outstrip the benefits. Local communities are particularly marginalised and exploited and local social structures are threatened by growing tensions and conflicts due to this. To bring a change in the situation at first the minimum salary/wage for women workers of shrimp processing industries has to be set equal to the national minimum wage. National employment policy on women should immediately be implemented in the line with Employment Policy Convention of 1964 and Equal Remuneration Convention of 1951 adopted by the ILO Conventions so that job security of women workers may retained. Group insuarence, specially for the women workers of shrimp processing industries should be introduced. This will help the workers saving their small amount of income. Shift work should be introduced in shrimp processing industries so that overtime hours of works may be reduced. Hostels or residential facility for unmarried women workers should be arranged so that they can get relief from different social problems like eve-teasing, communication problems etc. Women workers should be provided with independent education and training concerning their rights at work as well as training for skill development and capacity building. Finally, cooperation is required from the workers themselves, since no organization can be formed unless the women workers are ready to fight for their own rights. They must themselves struggle to acquire their propper position in the labour market. For them awareness-raising training and then of a large scale public awareness-building campaign should be provided by both the Government and NGOs on the priority basis. Only then occupational and social security system of women involved in shrimp processing industries may improve.

Knowledge Management: Journal