In the context of the women workers right of Bangladesh shrimp industry, Md Shamsul Haque Tuku, Deputy Speaker of National Parliament, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the government, employers, and workers to address the challenges faced by them and protect their rights within the sector.
During a national dialogue titled ‘Position of Women Workers in Shrimp Industry: Reality and Actions,’ organized by the non-governmental organization LEDARS (Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society) at JS Bhaban, Tuku emphasized that when employers prioritize workers’ interests, workers reciprocate. Therefore, a collective effort is necessary to resolve various issues through effective strategies.
Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, Coordinator of the Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement, chaired the event, which featured Deputy Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar and Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labour and Employment Begum Shamsun Nahar as special guests. LEDARS Executive Director Mohan Kumar Mondal presented the keynote paper.
Several other speakers, including Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers-Bangladesh; Mir Mohammad Ali, Assistant Professor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University; Halima Begum, Project officer of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs; Rafiqul Islam Azad, former president of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU); Shahajadi Begum, Oxfam representative; and Aminur Rasul Babul, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), also participated in the discussion.
Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku expressed concerns about the challenges faced by the shrimp sector, a significant contributor to the country’s foreign exchange. He highlighted that women workers in the industry experience various forms of oppression and stressed the importance of ensuring the rights of these marginalized women for the sake of national development.
Tuku also emphasized the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women to empower them economically and politically. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Habibur Nahar acknowledged the challenges in the shrimp sector, such as decreasing numbers of women workers due to low wages and long working hours compared to men. She assured that the government is actively working to address these ongoing issues.
