The study uses survey data from 1990, 1993 and 1997 to evaluate how the employment of women in export-oriented industries exploits the “comparative advantages of their disadvantages.” It evaluates gender differences in conditions of employment and the work environment, and looks at differences among export-oriented garment industry, other export industries, and nonexport industries. The authors recommend policy measures for eliminating the gender imbalances arising from women’s employment in export-oriented garment industries.

Evaluation: The study has shown that in Bangladesh, women’s employment in export-oriented industry has narrowed the gender gap in employment, income, social prestige, control over income, and decision making. At the same time, it has widened the gap in health care and socio-economic security. Tension and ambivalence are more prevalent among female workers than among male workers. There is occupational segregation and gender discrimination in wage rates. In fact, women are employed in the export-oriented industries to exploit the comparative advantages of their disadvantages. Hence, it can be deduced that women’s employment in export industry will result in gender imbalances if precautionary measures are not undertaken simultaneously.

Recommendations to eliminate the gender imbalances arising from women’s employment in export-oriented garment industry:

• the Government of Bangladesh should devote resources to enforce existing labour laws, particularly regarding occupational safety. It should increase the number of labour inspectors and random inspections and develop incentives for inspectors and employers. In addition, it should enforce punishment for noncompliance with labour laws. Resources should also be devoted to modifying existing laws and formulating new laws where necessary
• less-educated and new workers do not know much about labour laws. For example, the survey of 1990 shows that most employers do not give maternity leave because workers do not ask for it. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, together with trade unions and NGOs, should conduct educational programs for workers so that laws can be enforced through popular demand
• in setting up its export processing zones, Bangladesh should impose precautionary labour and environmental provisions to combat the adverse effects of growth of EPZs
• to successfully compete in the global apparel market, Bangladesh has to translate its comparative advantage of women's cheap labour into sustainable competitive advantage. This will require technological development in the garment industry. However, the findings show that female workers are ousted from the garment industry when there is technological improvement. This problem can be effectively solved by training female workers
• more-educated women are reluctant to undertake jobs in the garment industry because they have to join as helpers, the lowest-paying jobs. Higher-category jobs require skills that, at present, must be acquired through on-the-job training as a helper. Establishing training facilities outside the firm would effectively raise female garment workers' educational base
• the provision of safe, secure, and inexpensive services would alleviate the gender imbalance against women, e.g. separate bus services; cheap, secure, and hygienic housing facilities for female garment workers; health centres at the locations where the garment factories are clustered; health insurance services; financial services for savings and credit; day-care services; legal services
• steps should be taken to eliminate overtime work from the garment industry by establishing a two-shift working system

[From the author]

• Full text of document
• Publisher details
• Send to a friend