The volume contains a set of papers which summarise the findings of a research study undertaken by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in collaboration with the United Nations Research Institute on Social Development (UNRISD). It complements the work in other countries such as Vietnam, Uganda, Morocco and Jamaica. The main issues addressed are the implications of globalisation and changes in the macroeconomic context of Bangladesh; its impact on the unprecedented growth of female employment, particularly in the readymade garments (RMG) sector of the economy in view of the rapidly growing export processing zones (EPZs) of the country. Other parallel changes in the economy which are also explored in this volume include the gender impact of targeted microcredit and other programmes of NGOs, which influenced women’s participation in the economy, particularly in rural areas.
The study, thus, makes a significant contribution to understanding the female labour market in Bangladesh. Its various dimensions are looked into, such as household decision-making processes, the role of the female labour in the urban setting and at the workplace, including efforts of labour organisations, and the continued changes in global configurations and adjustments made at the plant level with implications for women workers.
Professor Rehman Sobhan, is the founder of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a leading civil society think-tank in Bangladesh which he currently chairs. He is also the Executive Director of South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS). He served as member of a number of important national and international bodies including Member of the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and Bangladesh National Commission on Money, Banking and Finance. He was a member of UN Committee for Development Planing, Government Council of UN University, Tokyo, Board of United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, Geneva, Executive Committee of the International Economic Association, Group of Eminent Persons appointed by SAARC Heads of State to review the future of SAARC. He also served
Nasreen Khundker is Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. She obtained an MSc (Econ.) degree from the London School of Economics, and PhD from Boston University, USA. Her research interests include technology innovations in the informal sector, structural adjustment and reforms, poverty and famines and NGOs.