Although people are now aware of equal rights for men and women, women workers throughout Bangladesh still suffer from wage discrimination.
Women day labourers, bricklayers and construction workers are the most discriminated against among them.
Women workers in Khulna said they do the same work as men but get lower wages. In this way, hundreds of thousands of women workers in the district are being subjected to wage discrimination year after year, rights activists and others concerned complained.
Some women workers expressed fear of losing their jobs if they ask for the same wages as men.
Women workers said that they are working hard all day to bring prosperity to their families. Ignoring health risks and people's negative comments, they are working on par with male workers, yet they are not getting fair wages.
A male worker earns Tk500-Tk550 working from morning to evening, while a female worker earns Tk420-Tk450 working the same hours.
These marginalized women workers have been working silently for years because there is no system to eliminate wage inequality.
Dhaka TribuneWage disparity still persists
Asma Begum, a 55-year-old woman from Khalishpur, has been working as a daily wage worker for 18 years.
She started working with a salary of Tk100-Tk120. Now she gets Tk420 per day. However, male workers working with her get Tk500-Tk550.
She said she has been discriminated against for almost a quarter of a century.
Expressing disappointment, Asma Begum said: "Earlier there was a wage gap of Tk120. Now that gap has come down to Tk80. But the gap still persists. Equality has not yet been established. Women lag behind in wages despite doing the same work as men. Because the decision regarding wages is made by men.”
“Wage disparity will only be eliminated if the men who make decisions regarding wages want it,” she said.
“Although there have been movements over this at various times, there have been no changes. The wage gap still remains even after 18 years,” she added.
Stating it is difficult to run a family with low income, she said: “I have 10 members in my family. All of them work as day labourers. If there is work for one day, you cannot find anything for three or four days. It becomes difficult to run a family of 10 people with such a low income. We cannot save any money. As a result, in case of any danger or illness, we have no option but to borrow money from others.”
Lower wages for same work
Renovation of Mujgunni Road adjacent to Boyra Bazar in Khulna city is underway. Last Monday, 65 women and 9 men were working there, among whom were women in the age group of 30-70 years.
Seventy-year-old Aleya Begum, who is working as a day labourer in the road renovation work, said: "We are working even in the sun at this age to provide food to our family. But we do not get equal pay for doing the same work as men. I get a salary of Tk400 whereas men get Tk500-Tk550. I have nothing to say anymore,”
“Many old people get an allowance at this age but I still have not received the old-age allowance card,” she lamented.
Another woman working with Aleya Begum, Sharifa Begum, said she started working as a daily wage worker for Tk2.5. Now she gets Tk450. “But it is not enough.”
“Our financial situation has not improved. Commodity prices are higher than the wages we get. So, it is difficult to survive on this income,” said Sharifa.
Dhaka Tribune‘There will be no work if women want the same wages as men'
Nipa Akhter, a 53-year-old woman who works as a construction worker, said if she wants the same wages as men, she will not get a job.
“It costs Tk50-Tk80 to come to Mujgunni Road from Fulbari gate in the morning. I get Tk450 at the end of the day. I can only take Tk350-Tk380 home. If there is no work, there is no food and yet, you cannot ask for the same wages as men because you will not get a job then. So, I keep quiet and go home with what I get,” said Nipa.
Reasons
Md Milan Hossain provides workers for the renovation of Mujgunni Road. When asked about the wage gap between men and women, he said: “Women workers sweep the road and it is easy work. However, men are digging out the soil and sand stuck on the road, which is a little heavier as women cannot cut the soil with a spade. That is why women get Tk420-Tk450 and men Tk500-550 daily. Not being able to do heavy work is the main reason for this wage disparity.”
Many unaware of women's rights
Swapna Rani, a resident of Khulna, has no idea about women's rights, even though she studied up to the 10th grade.
She said: “I got married after studying till the 10th grade. After coming to my husband's family, I have been working as a daily wage worker for seven years due to poverty. I don't know much about women's rights.”
“I understand that if you want to live, you have to work and earn. If not, you will not be able to eat. I do not care whether the wages are equal or less. I get some money if I work. A family of four runs on that money,” she added.
Legislation essential
The movement to eliminate the wage inequality of women workers is still going on, said women's rights activist Advocate Shamima Sultana Shilu.
She said: “The government also wants to eliminate wage discrimination. But it is not working. A movement will not work now. A specific law is needed in this regard. The government should enact laws to eliminate wage discrimination.”
Advocate Shamima Sultana Shilu also said: “Male workers get the opportunity to drink tea and smoke now and then. But women work continuously. They do not get any opportunity to skip work. In many cases, they provide extra labour. However, still, their wages are lower than men's.”
Awareness necessary
Majeda Khatun, a councillor in Khulna City Corporation, said women workers need to unite to eliminate wage inequality.
“Women workers do not disclose the fact that they get low wages for fear of not getting a job. They are forced to work for low wages. Therefore, women should be aware first. Besides, women are divided due to political ideologies. As a result, many rational movements do not have the support of all women. This also hinders the establishment of equal rights,” she said.