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

Abstract

Women play a crucial role in household management in Bangladesh. Economic responsibilities of the family are always expected to be borne by men. However, now-a-days 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 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.