Bangladesh as a country is ethnically diverse and socially complex. Women have been traditionally disadvantaged in this society; their access and movement are limited by social sanctions. Traditionally females are involved in household tasks including some family agricultural farm activities. Very few of them are working in GOs and NGOs. But women are contributing to the economic growth through participating in various types of economic activities, practically in all areas of the developing world. Despite the complex social sanctions, women's participation in economic activities has moved beyond household activities to many areas over the last 20 years. It is obviously a good sign for Bangladesh's economic development. Women's increasing participation in the labour force is expanding beyond the family farm enterprise to local market economy and to global market economy as well.

Women's involvement in the shrimp sector in Bangladesh is part of the global economy. In Bangladesh, women's movement into labour market is indicated by the labour force participation rate (LFPR). The share of rural women in total employed population also rose from 9 percent to 13 percent since the late 1980s. Clearly it indicates that rural women have been involving themselves in market based economic activities at a pace that is growing much faster than that of men. But it is a matter of great regret that woman labourers work with low income and little job security and encounter various forms of oppressions like no appointment letter is given, woman labourers have very low wage compared to their male counterparts, the women cannot form any union for their rights, there is 12-hour mandatory working for the women though they are supposed to work for only 8 hours per day, they cannot enjoy any government holiday nor any casual and sick leave (for sickness if one fails to attend the work, the day's amount is deducted from her monthly wage), only 3 days' maternity leave, no security in their occupational health.

Despite all these deprivations, woman workers are still doing their job very sincerely because they are poor; they have to maintain their subsistence. They also know that the supply is more than the demand for woman labourers and no other better alternative is available these are compelling women to do such works at low wage. Meanwhile, the shrimp traders are getting more and more powerful. Further, woman workers are working without any government regulatory control in the private sector where woman labourers are exploited. But they are bringing foreign cash into the national economy. Women are encountering various forms of work-related discrimination and violence. Such discrimination exists not so much because of discriminatory laws but because of non-application of some crucial laws to the specific situations. Therefore, it could be said that working under such conditions has not only led them to economic deprivation but has also marginalised the poorest of the poor, who are mostly women.

So, all of us in the society should think NOW regarding woman labourers who are contributing a lot to our national economic development and providing vital support that ensure the well being of the family. Should consider their situation not as their employer, not as a government official, not as a development or social worker but as conscious human beings.

Now, for instance, if the question is -- "What can we do for the woman labourers of shrimp processing plants?"

As a lay man my suggestions are as follows:

• All of the participating stakeholders of shrimp processing plants are more or less aware of the labour rights situation of the processing industries. There is no need to go for any further debate on the issue but to abide by the rules.
• Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA) or any third party can initiate an effective social dialogue between the factory management and the workers to overcome any problem ensuring benefits for both the parties.
• Civil society organisations or government representatives may persuade International Labour Organization (ILO) to approach European Union (EU) and United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to bring changes in policies and put emphasis on the human face of the production.
• Policy people can review Labour Laws/Code and Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Woman (CEDAW) in line with the ILO conventions and other declarations to examine the negative impact of labour policies, if any, on woman's living standards

Now, in fine, here are the concluding remarks with a high hope that we shall overcome, we must overcome the problems and create an enabling working environment for our deprived but most important woman labourers. Let us all come forward to bring in a win-win solution to their problems.

Md. Kudrat-E-Kabir is Regional Director, ATDP-SSOQ Boyra-Khulna.