30pc women workers faced social violence
Thirty percent of women workers of the country were victims of social violence in March, April and May, a study during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country has found.
Of them, 70 percent were abused by landlords for not paying rent on time.
The findings of the study, titled "Corona Pandemic: Socio-economic, cultural and political survival of women workers in Bangladesh" were shared at a webinar yesterday, organised by Karmojibi Nari, a platform for women workers.
A considerable number of respondents were abused by religious leaders for not wearing burqa, by local administration for not having NID card while collecting relief, and by their husbands, it said.
Only 27 percent of those who live in rural areas said they were able to maintain social distancing. Besides, 20 percent of respondents said their families were completely dependent on their income.
The survey, supported by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), was conducted covering three months with 66 women workers from about 18 formal and informal labour sectors of Bangladesh, like garments, construction, tannery and footwear, from Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Dinajpur, Barguna, and Bagerhat.
MP Shirin Akhter, in her speech as chief guest, said, "Female trade union leaders need to be stronger and have more bargaining power with local government, so they can establish rights of women workers."
Speaking as special guest, Tina Blohm, resident representative of FES, said there should be proper monitoring of relief and financial assistance provided by the government to low-income people.
The webinar was presided by Karmojibi Nari President Dr Pratima Paul Majumder and moderated by Sunzida Sultana.
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