Karmojibi Nari has successfully evolved from a small initiative in the nineties into an important change agent working to promote women workers’ rights in Bangladesh. It demands systematic change both from the Government and from the private business companies. Working closely with the trade unions without being a member itself allows Karmojibi Nari to get access where the trade unions are barred from working, for instance in the export processing zones. Karmojibi Nari also works to increase the female representation in the trade unions and to ensure implementation of the ratified ILO-convention.
28/05/2008 :: In many countries, women workers in the formal and informal sector are still vulnerable and frequently victims of inequality and exploitation. Enhancement of the working women’s social, political and economic empowerment is needed. In addition to identifying their needs and putting pressure on the employers, Karmojibi Nari provides training to teach women to bargain for their own rights and to participate in decision-making processes.
Recently, Karmojibi Nari organized a National Convention of Women and Women Workers in Dhaka. Since Norway has supported this organisation for many years in Bangladesh, Ambassador Ingebjørg Støfring was one of the Special Guests along with Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Women & Children Affairs Advisor Ms. Rasheda K Choudhury, Economist Dr. Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed and Women Leader Ms. Hena Das. Ambassador Støfring delivered a speech on the occasion, which you can read here.