RIGHTS, BENEFITS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: STATUS OF FEMALE WORKERS
ENGAGED IN THE SHRIMP PROCESSING INDUSTRIES OF BANGLADESH
Md. Nuruzzaman*, National Expert, Better Work and Standards Program (BEST) – Better Fisheries
Quality (BFQ), UNIDO, e-mail:nuruzzaman07@gmail.com
The issue of labor rights violation in Bangladesh shrimp processing industry has been criticized
recently by a number national and international labor rights organizations which have important
implications for the country to continue shrimp and seafood trade with the international markets
particularly in US and European markets. The shrimp and seafood industry has been playing an
important economic role occupying the second position in the export earnings after readymade
garments. The industry is employing over a million of workers where proportion of female
workers in the processing sector is about 80% who are said to be the major victims of violation
of labor rights, benefits and social justice.
The criticisms of labor rights violation pressed the industry and the regulating ministries to
undertake necessary actions to ensure that shrimp processing factories are aware of the labor
rules, ensure compliance of existing Labor Laws and continue export in the international market.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with the financial assistance
from European Union and NORAD came forward to assist Bangladesh Shrimp and Seafood
Industry to strengthen its capacity along with related public sector institutions responsible for
controlling the industry officially. This paper presents an account of proactive measures and
supports given as technical assistance (TA) from UNIDO to overcome the challenges and take
benefit from the trade opportunities available for the entrepreneurs through improving worker’s
rights and their entitlements.
This paper presents important findings from the evaluation undertaken by UNIDO mission
during the implementation of gender focused project interventions across the industry. The
findings reflect the impressions obtained from direct interview of workers, opinion from the
entrepreneurs and practical checking of compliance records from the industry and government
offices controlling the shrimp export and social compliance. Attempt has also been made to
analyze the policy environment barring the implementation of labor rules across the shrimp
processing sector of the country. A set of recommendations drawn on the experiences from the
engagement with the UNIDO project which have important lesson learning for implementation of
workers’ rights and benefits to improve the socio-economic conditions of worker community
across the export oriented shrimp and seafood industry.