75% women workers of DEPZ factories mentally, verbally harassed | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
75% women workers of DEPZ factories mentally, verbally harassed

Bangladesh

TBS Report
20 December, 2022, 06:40 pm
Last modified: 20 December, 2022, 11:08 pm

Related News

  • Unidentified men posing as commuters take over bus on Dhaka-Tangail highway for 6 hrs, rob all passengers
  • Judicial Service Association demand punishment for lawyers accused of harassing judge over bail rejection
  • Women-led orgs urge govt to ensure protection, dignity for women workers
  • China offers trade pact to boost investment, supply chain ties
  • DEPZ's production to resume at capacity from today as REB ensures uninterrupted power supply

75% women workers of DEPZ factories mentally, verbally harassed

Karmojibi Nari and Asia Pacific Forum on Women have found this in a study

TBS Report
20 December, 2022, 06:40 pm
Last modified: 20 December, 2022, 11:08 pm
Photo: Courtesy
Photo: Courtesy

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".

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

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.

EPZ / Women Workers / harassment

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • How termination of USDA-funded trade facilitation project will affect Bangladesh
    How termination of USDA-funded trade facilitation project will affect Bangladesh
  • File photo of Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: Collected
    Visitors banned from entering Secretariat on Mondays and Thursdays
  • File photo of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Photo: Collected
    Asked for roadmap, govt didn’t give in 10 months, now 'December it is': Mirza Fakhrul

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Representational image of cable car/Freepik
    Cable car to be installed from Himchari to Reju Khal in Marine Drive Road
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'

Related News

  • Unidentified men posing as commuters take over bus on Dhaka-Tangail highway for 6 hrs, rob all passengers
  • Judicial Service Association demand punishment for lawyers accused of harassing judge over bail rejection
  • Women-led orgs urge govt to ensure protection, dignity for women workers
  • China offers trade pact to boost investment, supply chain ties
  • DEPZ's production to resume at capacity from today as REB ensures uninterrupted power supply

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

3d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

3h | Others
Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

4h | Others
Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

5h | Others
Rumours surrounding the Club World Cup: Which club will Ronaldo join?

Rumours surrounding the Club World Cup: Which club will Ronaldo join?

5h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net