75% women workers of DEPZ factories mentally, verbally harassed

About 75% of women working in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) factories are victims of mental and verbal harassment, according to a study report by Karmojibi Nari.

Farhana Jubaida Urmee, research officer of Karmojibi Nari, presented the findings at an event on "Worker's Rights in Dhaka Export Processing Zone: National Dialogue on Present Situation and Actions" at Daily Star Centre on Tuesday.

Karmojibi Nari, in collaboration with Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (Apwld), conducted the study "Woman workers and labour standards of Dhaka Export Processing Zone: Creating space for women workers of DEPZ to share their struggles".

At present, a total of 516,588 people are working at EPZ factories and 66% of them are female. The study found that about 57% of the victims of harassment said they do not file any complaint to DEPZ authority or factory owner over any types of harassment as they fear it would cause them more trouble. 

About 32% victims of sexual harassment said they do not file any complaint as whoever complains is forced to resign and thrown out of the factory, it added. 

Project Coordinator Farhana Afrin Tithi and Research Officer Farhana Jubaida Urmee of Karmojibi Nari conducted the research and officially released it on Tuesday.

A total of 300 women workers of DEPZ factories who resided at Bhadail and Sreepur villages in Ashulia of Savar were surveyed from January 2021 to June 2022 for the report.

Umma Hassan Jholmol, vice president of Karmojibi Nari, said, "A healthy worker can produce a reasonable outcome. So, a women-friendly working environment should be ensured in EPZs."

He told The Business Standard that female RMG workers are victims of various types of harassment at workplaces and 80% of them are harassed by line supervisors, floor supervisors, or senior officials.

He further said "There is a problem after the database of workers has been digitalised. After dismissing someone from the job, the company gives their ID number online. As a result, other organisations are reluctant to hire them."

Addressing the national dialogue as the chief guest, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shirin Akhter MP said, labour rights issues in EPZ factories should be discussed at the international level. Recommendations can be formulated by all labour-centric sectors including garments and EPZs. To protect labour rights, all workers and trade unions should strengthen the field-level movement.

About 22% of the victims said there is an anti-harassment committee in their factory, but they did not see any action of this committee against harassment.

A female worker, wishing not to be named, said the committee to prevent harassment should represent workers, but in reality, they represent the owners. If someone files a complaint, the authority then forces them to resign and be ousted from the factory.

Another female worker said the line supervisor touches her hands and makes indecent comments. Although she wished to slap his face, she failed to do so in fear of losing job.

Dr Alpana Sarker, director, Medical and Labor Welfare Section of Department of Labour, said there cannot be allowed that one type of labour law for workers of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and another labour law outside the EPZ area.

Recommendations

Effective and impartial anti-harassment committee should be formed at all factories. Different committees like the workers welfare association, anti-harassment committee, safety committee, Participation Committee have to hold general meetings with workers every three months. Fair judgement of complaints which were submitted to the complaint box must be ensured.  

Bepza is currently overseeing 8 operational Export Processing Zones (EPZ) including Chattogram EPZ, Dhaka EPZ, Mongla EPZ, Ishwardi EPZ, Cumilla EPZ, Uttara EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ and Adamjee EPZ.