Withholding women\\\'s rights

A report of Rangpur correspondent on wage discrimination against women workers was published in The Financial Express on February 17. It is a serious and important national issue that has to be solved. Women's organisations and similar women's rights groups should look into the matter and if this unfair practice is proved, the matter should be taken up to the national level. There should be same payment for same work and there is no scope for discrimination.
I would also request the concerned labour department officials to investigate into the matter and if any discrimination is found to be practised, it should be removed forthwith. However, if payment is made on the basis of piece rate or weight, it is quite possible because women are physically weak than men and they can carry lesser load than men. The same thing is true for piece rate work payment where payment is based on the quantity of work done. Otherwise, there can be no reason for unequal payment between men and women.
The case reported was about working women in tobacco processing under the British American Tobacco Co. It needs to be looked into by the authorities. The matter of pollution or bad working environment, where injurious tobacco leaf is processed, is also a matter to be looked into. Women's organisations should investigate into the matter and if there is any discrimination in payment or the working environment is unhealthy, they should make women aware of those.

Engr SA Mansoor
Dhaka
sam@dhakacom.com