Khairunnessa Sima is a story of how a powerless, typical housewife in a poor family becomes a family decision maker with the start of earning money. A less educated married woman from an insolvent background in Bangladesh, Sima saw changes in her status and indentity when she found a job in the country’s lustrous garment industry. “My voice is now heard in my family,” said Sima with a smile at face, comparing her present situation to the past days when she was only subject to her in-laws family people’s decisions. The story is true not only for Sima but for tens of thousands of women working in the industry which plays a dominant role in Bangladesh’s export sector and employing women. Asian Center for Development carried out a survey titled “Garment Workers in Bangladesh: Social Impact of the Garment Industry” that finds the readymade garment industry workers can now take decision in 10 important issues including child’s education, health, jobs and dress, family planing and employment. Ninety eight per cent workers think they are self-reliant while 93% say they have important role in making family decisions. The survey shows that 36%-44% workers can influence family decisions regarding entertainment, health service, buying or selling properties, selecting area for residency, education of dependents, marriage of siblings, saving money and taking loans. The survey, conducted among 1,204 workers in 173 factories across the country, interviewed workers of all grades. The emloyment also helped to prevent child marriage of many rural girls. “As I was a burden of my parents, my father tried to marry me when I was only 14 years old. But I managed to escape the wedding and find a job in a RMG factory,” said Asma Akter, an operator at Arnob Garment, recalling her horrible experience. “I, later, had been able to save my younger sister when she was also facing same situation. She now continues her education. This was only possible as I have financial contribution to my family,” she said about the change in her family status. Nazma Akter, president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, said the girls working in the industry now enjoyed much freedom in taking decisions about their life and became able to prevent their parents from marrying them at early ages. Rasheda K Choudhury, ex-adviser on children and women affairs to a caretaker government, said the employments in garment industry brought economic freedom to many rural women though “freedom still needed to be attained in true sense.” She urged the employers to remove gender descrimination in payment to workers. Rasheda, also a social activist and educationist, added: “Despite the Court order to ensure safety of women wokers, there is a little progress. I would call for a joint initiative of government and employers to ensure safety of women workers.” According to garment industry trade union leaders, there are about over 55 registered and non-registered federations in the country, of which, about 50% are led by female garment workers.
