Female labour force in informal sectors

Dr Matiur Rahman :
In Bangladesh, a significant number of poor women are engaged in various informal sector occupations. The informal sector encompasses a wide range of economic activities that are not regulated or protected by formal labour laws.
There are various informal sector activities in which poor women often engage. Some of the common informal sector activities where poor women are engaged include selling goods and products on the streets, sidewalks, or public spaces.

Poor women are involved in providing cleaning, cooking, childcare, and other household services in private homes. They are engaged in manufacturing, assembly, packaging, or handicraft production from home. They also work in small-scale garment production units or as piece-rate workers in the garment industry.
We also see the participation of poor women in agricultural activities such as crop cultivation, livestock rearing, or fishery. They also contribute to collecting, sorting, and recycling waste materials such as plastic, paper, or metal. Hairdressing, beauty treatments, or tailoring from home or small salons also need the participation of low paid women working force.
There are women who are engaged in small-scale buying and selling of goods, such as selling vegetables or snacks in local markets. Creating and selling handmade crafts, pottery, weaving, or other artisanal products are some other jobs where women are the main work force. Nowadays women also participate in some hard jobs such as engaging in manual labour activities on construction sites, such as carrying bricks or assisting in building projects. As day labourer, female workers also work in brick kilns, rice mills, road construction and repair works, etc.

They participate in activities like fish farming, processing, and trading, handicrafts, cottage industries, and small-scale manufacturing. Some poor women find employment in the service sector, such as hospitality, retail, and customer service. They work in hotels, restaurants, shops, and call centres, providing various services to customers.
Several causes or factors contribute to poor women engaging in work in Bangladesh. Many poor women in Bangladesh enter the workforce out of economic necessity. They need to contribute to the household income and support their families, especially in low-income households where the income generated by male family members may be insufficient.
Bangladesh has a high poverty rate, and many women from impoverished backgrounds are compelled to work to meet their basic needs. Work becomes a means of survival and improving their living conditions.

Limited access to education and skill development opportunities for women in Bangladesh may lead them to seek employment in low-skilled jobs. Lack of education and skills restricts their job prospects and often pushes them into sectors with lower wages and limited opportunities for career advancement.
Poor women working in the informal sector in Bangladesh face several challenges. Informal sector workers, including women, often earn low wages and struggle with income insecurity. They may not have access to minimum wage standards or regular salary payments. The lack of formal contracts and bargaining power further exacerbates their vulnerability to exploitation and unfair compensation.
Poor women in the informal sector typically have limited or no access to social protection benefits such as health insurance, maternity leave, pensions, and unemployment benefits. This leaves them financially vulnerable in times of illness, pregnancy, or unemployment.
Informal sector occupations often lack proper safety measures and regulations. Women may work in hazardous environments without adequate protective equipment, exposing themselves to health risks and accidents. This is particularly relevant in sectors like waste recycling, home-based work, construction works, and certain manufacturing activities.
Informal sector work can be demanding, with long working hours and limited flexibility. Women often have to juggle multiple responsibilities, including caregiving and household chores, leading to a lack of work-life balance and potential adverse impacts on their well-being.

Many poor women in the informal sector have limited access to training and skill development opportunities, which can hinder their professional growth and limit their ability to access better job prospects. Lack of skills development can also contribute to their continued engagement in low-paying and low-skilled work.
Informal sector working environments may perpetuate gender-based discrimination and harassment. Women may face unequal pay, limited career advancement opportunities, and sexual harassment or abuse. The absence of formal reporting mechanisms and support systems often leaves them with little recourse to address such issues.
Poor women in the informal sector often lack representation and collective bargaining power. They may face challenges in organizing themselves into unions or associations to advocate for their rights and improve their working conditions.

Informal sector workers, including poor women, often struggle to access financial services such as bank accounts, loans, and credit facilities. This limits their ability to invest in their businesses, expand their activities, and improve their economic well-being.
To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is required. This includes legal reforms and policy interventions to protect the rights of informal sector workers, the implementation of social protection programs tailored to their needs, skill development initiatives to enhance their productivity and employability, awareness campaigns to inform women about their rights and support services, improved access to finance and credit, and support for entrepreneurship and formalization. Collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, trade unions, and employers’ associations is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of these measures.

By empowering poor women in the informal sector, enhancing their working conditions, and providing them with social and economic support, Bangladesh can unlock the immense potential of this workforce, contribute to poverty reduction, and promote inclusive and sustainable development. It is through these efforts that the status and well-being of poor women engaged in work in Bangladesh can be significantly improved.

(The writer is a researcher and
development worker).