Asadul Islam

Women in Bangladesh are increasingly gaining freedom in choosing their careers. They are now contributing to almost all sectors of the economy, significantly impacting the country’s economic growth, particularly by helping to raise the gross domestic product (GDP). Women are actively working in the garment sector, tea gardens, and even in paddy fields. However, female employees often face unequal treatment in the workplace, including denied maternity benefits, dismissal during pregnancy, sexual harassment, and unfair wages.

Every woman working in any establishment must have her rights and privileges clearly guaranteed by the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006. The Act provides maternity benefits and other workplace protections. A woman employed in an establishment is entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave, consisting of 8 weeks before the expected date of delivery and 8 weeks after childbirth. During this period, she will receive maternity benefits based on her current wages. Any woman who has worked in an establishment for at least six months is entitled to maternity leave with full pay, which must be provided in cash. Maternity benefits are calculated based on either the average of the last three months’ earnings before leave or the average daily wage during her actual absence, depending on her employment type.

Before a pregnant employee completes six months of service or within eight weeks of delivery, employers cannot fire, dismiss, or terminate her. During this period, an employer cannot revoke the woman's maternity benefits if they issue a dismissal, discharge, or removal order without reasonable cause. Furthermore, an employer cannot assign physically strenuous work to a woman within 10 weeks of her due date or immediately after childbirth. In the unfortunate event that a woman dies on the day of delivery or within 8 weeks after childbirth, the maternity benefits must be paid to the person responsible for the child’s care.

According to Section 109 of the Act, no woman shall be required to work between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM without her consent. However, in certain industries, such as factories or television stations, women may be required to work late hours. In such cases, the employer must obtain their consent before assigning night shifts. A woman worker in Bangladesh has the legal right to take action against an employer if her benefits are denied or if she is unfairly dismissed. If the worker is a permanent employee, she must be given at least four months’ notice before termination or receive four months’ salary if fired immediately. Additionally, terminated female employees are entitled to extra compensation based on their years of service.

Thus, the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 clearly protects and ensures women's rights and privileges in the workplace. Authorities must enforce these rights, and women should actively raise their voices to demand fair treatment and equal opportunities.

The writer is a student of Master of Laws (LLM) Department of Land Management and Law, Jagannath University