Bangladesh Homeworkers Women Association

Bangladesh Homeworkers Women Association, also known as BHWA, is an NGO, headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh.[1] It is mostly known for working with the underprivileged homeworkers, also known as home-based workers by initiating social awareness programs, advocacy workshops, originating policy drafts, development and recommendation.[2] BHWA focuses on key issues such as the elimination of child labour,[3] female labourers' rights in the informal sector, occupational health and safety for women workers who are not covered by the Labour Code in Bangladesh.

The BHWA

In 2003, The Ministry of Labour and Employment of Bangladesh registered BHWA as a Trade Union, making it the first NGO representing workers in the informal sector to be granted a trade union status by the Government of Bangladesh. This enabled homeworkers to seek basic worker rights using this platform.[4][5]

The organization was founded in 1986, by General Secretary, Dilruba Anguri.[6][7] BHWA has over 14,000 members across 5 districts in Bangladesh (1999).[8]

Key affiliates (government)

edit
  • NGO Affairs Bureau - The Prime Minister's Office
  • Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association
  • Ministry of Labour and Employment of Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Bank
  • The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries

Key affiliates (global)

edit
  • International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation
  • International Labour Organization
  • UNICEF
  • United Nations Development Fund for Women [9]

References

edit
  1. ^ Bangladesh Bank. "Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Credit Policies & Programmes" (PDF). Department of Printing and Publications, Bangladesh Bank. p. 9. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  2. ^ Mahmud, Simeen; Huq, Lopita (February 10, 2013). "Home Based Workers in the Export Garment Sector in Bangladesh:An Exploratory Study in Dhaka City" (PDF). Solidarity Center. pp. 1, 9, 30, 31. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  3. ^ Selim, Shahpar (2011). Ecological modernization and environmental compliance : the garments industry in Bangladesh (1. iss. in paperback. ed.). New Delhi: Routledge. p. 86. ISBN 978-0415598194.
  4. ^ Hein, Catherine (2005). Reconciling work and family responsibilities : practical ideas from global experience. Geneva: ILO. p. 153. ISBN 92-2-115352-5.
  5. ^ "Working at home pays more than house work". Vol.4 Num 49. No. Star City. The Daily Star (Bangladesh). July 15, 2003. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  6. ^ Gul Khattak, Saba; Habib, Kiran; Sadiq Khan, Foqia (24 May 2011). Women and Human Security in South Asia: The Cases of Bangladesh and Pakistan South Asia human security series (PDF). University Press. p. 124. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Home-based workers seek nat'l wage policy". Vol. 5 Num 871. No. Star Business Report. The Daily Star (Bangladesh). November 9, 2006. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  8. ^ Invisible Workers, Visible Contribution. A Study of Home Based Workers in Five Sectors across South Asia
  9. ^ "Progress of the World's Women" (PDF). www.un-ngls.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.