Women Workers Development Project
October 2007 – September 2012
This project aims to increase the participation of women in trade unions and to hold more leadership positions within the union. Building on a former campaign called the 'Common Minimum Demand (CMD) for women workers, this seeks to continue that momentum. The CMD is a multi-year campaign that encompasses a list of issues concerning women workers that need to be addressed, including: working hours, promotion, rest and leave, maternity leave, wages and social security, environment and health in the workplace, harassment, security and respect for migrant workers, freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The campaign targets specific issues each year. This year (2011) the campaign continues its work on maternity benefits and also focuses on the issue of harassment, not only in the work place but also the sexual harassment women confront in the daily commute to and from work on public buses and on the streets. Although not all issues are highlighted each year, they continue to be promoted as part of the overall campaign.
This project successfully sees women’s committees formed at the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) associated national centres with a number of women attaining leadership positions. The Common Minimum Demand is becoming more reknown and there are actions plans to campaign and organize women workers. Coordination and networking with civil society has been strengthened including the relationship with SANDHANI a volunteer organization that provides blood for women workers when needed.
As a result of the CMD campaign and activities the government agreed to include maternity protection for women workers in the informal sector in the existing government welfare fund.
The Canadian Labour Congress works with the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) on this project.
Bangladesh