Trade liberalisation and its impacts on Bangladeshi female workers

Purpose: This thesis examines the effects of trade liberalisation on Bangladeshi female workers especially those working in ready-made garments industry in different parts of Bangladesh. Originality: The gendered disaggregated empirical analysis of the impact of trade liberalisation and comparison between different areas in Bangladesh is extremely important from a policy perspective in view of the disproportionate participation of women in the sector and also for the equal wellbeing of women as vulnerable group. Key literature / theoretical perspective: This research will first investigate whether there is a differential treatment to female garments workers in different industrial areas in terms of salary, working hours, promotion, and non-financial benefits e.g. long -term maternity leave, medical leave and others. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative methods based on a primary database will be used to answer the research questions. Research limitations/implications: This thesis questions the assumption that in Bangladesh, trade liberation has created ample opportunities for young Bangladeshi female workers for paid jobs in export-oriented sectors but not equally all over the country. Practical and Social implications: As examining the socio-economic impact of trade liberalisation on female workers in different export oriented industries in general, an effort will be made to measure and compare the effects between selected industrial areas. The findings of this study will help policy makers of both the government and owners of the industry to find ways to augment welfare of female workers in the garment industry in general and other export-oriented industries in particular.