National Workshop on Homebased worker & National Policy
25 & 26 January. 2003

VENUE: CIRDAP Auditorium,Dhaka.

DATE : 25th-26th January 2003

PARTICIPANTS : 64 representatives from different districts of the country.

The theme for the National Workshop for Homebased workers was to devise a
mechanism to frame a National Policy on homebased workers. Various aspects of
organization, marketing and training were discussed and debated thoroughly with active participation of all representatives. Vital areas that needed immediate attention were identified as

>> Product Quality
>> Skill Enhancement and
>> Market access.

OBJECTIVES

>> To discuss the contribution, importance and difficulties faced by homeworkers in Bangladesh and make recommendations on their inclusion in the Labour Code.
>> To facilitate regular networking of all organizations involved with homebased workers.
>> Dissemination of ILO Convention 177 & using its provisions as a basic guideline for framing the National Policy for Homebased workers.

OUTCOME OF THE WORKSHOP

>> Memorandum drafted for Labour Ministry to finalize National Policy
>> Committee on National Policy was formed.
>> Committee on Marketing was formed.
>> Importance of training for skill development of Homebased workers was discussed.
>> Difficulties faced by homeworkers due to lack of adequate essential equipment needed for production and training was emphasized.

The inaugural session on the 25th was chaired by Professor Dil Rowshan
Akhtary, President- BHWA. The chief guest was Lutfur Rehman Khan Azad,
State Minister for Labour and Manpower. Other dignitaries present were
1. Ms. Sapna Joshi, Coordinator-HomeNet South Asia
2. Mr. Roy Ramesh Chandra, Executive Committee Member-TWARO
3. Mohd. Badruddoza Nizam, Secretary - BNC
4. Ms Ditruba Anguri, General Secretary-BHWA & Chairperson-BNC

In his speech, the Honorable Minister promised that his ministry would take an
initiative to incorporate laws giving Homeworkers legal recognition and status
under the Labour Code. He pointed out that a homeworker was the first to arise
in the morning and the last to go to sleep at night. A homeworker's contribution to
the social and economic development of the nation cannot be overlooked.

Ms. Sapna Joshi, coordinator HomeNet South Asia said that there are over 100
million homebased workers in the world, most of them women. These numbers
have increased dramatically as economic changes have swept the world.
Women's roles in the economics of the region are increasing, yet they are to be
found in the most vulnerable sectors of both employment and business. The
informal nature of home-based work makes it possible employers to reduce costs
by taking advantage of low wages, low overheads and the flexibility of the a work
force with few rights and a growing need for income. In South Asia in particular.
the numbers of homebased workers are very high, with over 50 million estimated
workers in the region. Pointing out that Finland and Ireland have already
formulated their National Policy for home workers, she urged the authorities
concerned to formulate such a policy in Bangladesh.

Excerpts from speech of Mr. Ruhul Quddus, Director. Labour Directorate

"In our country, normally it has been observed that Homebased workers do not
have any effective leadership. For these reasons they cannot organize
themselves and approach us as an organized group, that is why we can not help
them to proceed further in their struggle till today. The most important thing is
getting organized. We need to build a platform and decide on our leadership,
direction etc. Members shall have a sense of belonging & they will decide
on the right platform to place all their demands, achieve them and do
something for betterment. Trade Unions are of 2 types, Trade Union &
Federation. 2 or more trade unions together can form a Federation. So
homeworkers can also have a federation which can cover the whole country.

SALIENT POINTS EMERGING FROM GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND GUEST
SPEECHES

>>Low wages - Homebased workers are exploited and paid low wages. Any
demand for better wages is countered with threats of work refusal. Better
remuneration wilt also act as a motivational factor for more women to take up
homebased work and this in turn will boost the national economy.

>>Deprivation of legal and social benefits - Homebased workers have very low
levels of visibility & their cause is not a priority with the authorities. They are
deprived of many benefits given to other employees such as welfare
schemes, provident fund, insurance benefits, health care facilities etc.

>>Occupational Hazards - Homeworkers are generally seen to be working long
hours irrespective of their biological limitations because of low wages & the
absence of a fixed law specifying maximum working hours. And due to their
poverty, the home/workplace is in many cases an unhygienic and unsuitable
environment.

>>Exposure to modern equipment and training - Products of homeworkers
cannot compete in the national and international markets because they do not
have a grasp of the constantly changing trends fashion, colour concepts etc.
Periodic training could help them keep abreast of the market needs.

>>Networking & communication - Regular networking among homeworkers and
their organizations is essential to avoid duplication of effort & improper utilization
of resources. Poor communication facilities in rural areas make it difficult and
expensive for them to arrange for product delivery to markets.

SUGGESTIONS PUT FORTH BY THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE PANEL
DISCUSSIONS DURING THE WORKSHOP

ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS

>> Need to form a National Women Federation having local branches at the
district level.

>> Create a separate ministry at the national level for handling matters relating to
homeworkers.

>> The Labour Ministry must grant Homeworkers the legal status of a worker.

>> Provide Homeworkers with all the facilities given to other government
employees.

>> Must have an independent association of Homeworkers and arrange for
government registration for this association.

>> Must have a fixed set of policy guidelines for all matters relating to
Homeworkers.

>> Allot government leased land for homeworker associations.

>> The government should create a "National Relief Fund" to be used for giving
monetary aid to homeworkers as and when required. For example maternity
benefits, accidental injury or sudden death compensations etc.

>> Arrange for issuing trade licenses to homeworkers at nominal charges. Also.
the license issuing authority should have representatives of homeworker organizations.

>> Decide on a minimum hourly wage for all homebased work.

>> Start a suitable Insurance Policy for Homeworkers.

>> Arrange for giving Home loans to Homeworkers by banks at nominal interest rates

>> Provide for old age pension schemes for Homeworkers.

>> Arrange for giving government loans to Homeworkers with minimum paperwork and low interest charges.

>> Request banks to allow Homeworkers to open and operate bank accounts
with minimal balances.

>> Help in creating a friendly social and familial environment for Homeworkers so
that their work is not hindered.

>> Fund and publish a survey on alt aspects of homebased work in the country.

MARKETING ASPECTS

>> Institute a forum/committee for exploring and identifying local and international marketing opportunities for products made by homebased workers.

>> All products made by homebased workers intended for sale during participation in International trade fairs should be exempted from VAT charges.

>> Provide necessary help and support to increase participation in International
trade fairs and arrange for stalls free of cost or at reduced cost.

>> Help in establishing a forum for continuous interface of homebased workers with the buyers of their products.

>> Help in creating specific channels and outlets (either government owned or private) for marketing of products made by Homeworkers.

>> Help in creating opportunities for direct import-export of products made by homebased workers.

SKILL UPGRADATION AND TRAINING ASPECTS

>> Decide on an appropriate curriculum/syllabus to provide basic education to the homeworker and make arrangements for imparting this education.

>> Provide facilities to impart leadership training and conduct awareness workshops for Homeworkers at the district level.

>> Provide facilities for guiding, training and helping Homeworkers in planning and resource management.

>> Support and fund participation of Homeworkers in national and international training programmes.

>>Arrange for continuous skill-enhancing and follow-up training for all Homeworkers at the national level.