The Present Scenario of Women Laborer in the Informal Sector: A Study on Dhaka city

Informal sectors play a significant role in the economic growth of Bangladesh. Here women workers are the main impetus factor for economic growth. So, the key objective of our research was to find out the present situation of women laborers in the informal sector and they are facing such problems in their working place. We have selected 60 women from the informal industrial area of Dhaka city. This area of different field and the majority of them were from garments sector, those are 43%. We have collected their demographic and socioeconomic information to understand their livelihood process. We found utmost of them are 25-30 years old and 50% of workers are married. 82% of employees live in a nuclear family because most working women earn 6000-7000 taka (which is 22%) which is not sufficient to maintain a joint family. This research also finds that 70% of the workers are migrated from rural to urban areas and they have left their families behind in the villages. There are a lot of causes for them to migrate. This study also finds very important and shocking data that almost every woman (99.33%) is facing several types of problems in their workplaces. Our intention of this research was to trace out the real scenario of the present situation of women workers in the informal sector and we have attempted our best to do. The researcher, to develop the present condition and banishing the obstructions for the women laborer in their working place, this study will be helpful to the policymakers and a proper policy can be introduced by the appropriate authority of Bangladesh for the welfare of women the informal sector workers. That will help the nation to gain more economic growth.

necessity. In 1971 Keith Hart used the concept "Informal Sector" at the beginning (Chowdhury, 2005) and International Labor Organization (ILO) popularized it.
The rapid expansion of Bangladesh economy mostly depends on the informal sectors. In 2002 the informal sector created 79% of the jobs of the whole labor market and contributed 43% of the total GDP of the nation. The informal sector is most effectively working in rural areas than the urban areas. Women employees are significant part of the informal economy. 93% of women are engaged in the informal sector where 87% of men (The economic census, 2013). The quarterly LFS founds, in present times women's participation is increasing gradually in manpower (Yasmin and Husna, 2020). Where it was 4% in 1974 it has been an expansion to 35.6% in 2016. It is much more rapid than the increase of the involvement of male laborer.
Which is 80.4% in 1974 to 81.9% in 2016? Participation of urban women is increasing a little bit slower (30.8%) than the increasing rate of countryside women (37.6%). Besides the contribution of increasing rate in export-oriented readymade garments sectors women's participation is increasing in many emerging and non-traditional sectors like transportation, hotels and restaurants, real estate services, banking, and telecommunication. But at the country level, only 4.6% of all employed female are participated in the formal sector compared to 17.7% of their male complement. LFS shows us an ugly truth that the involvement of women in the labour force is lower than the involvement of men. It is happening because of some intervening obstacles for women. So, this study focused to trace out the obstacles for women to participate actively in the informal working force.

Literature Review
The achievement of women labor to the financial progress of Bangladesh is outstanding. Especially with the innovation of the garment industry in Bangladesh, the matter of women's labor is deliberated as an important force of labor. Till now women's labor force is the key labor sources of any garments industry in Bangladesh. Not only Bangladesh but also its globally main labor sources. Here we considered about the informal sector is especially for women labor. Bangladeshi women are making a remarkable contribution to the informal sector; in these circumstances, Bangladesh's GDP growth has increased at a high rate than in the formal decade through women labor. Thus, the intimate relationship of women labor with GDP growth. The Informal sectors mean that governmental or non-governmental works/jobs. The men who are working for a particular time or periods in her/him own working sector that also called self-employed, or those men/ women who earn by a particular work that are not payrolls its call the informal sector. According to (Aditi Kapoor, 2007), self-employed, casual, migrant, own-account, contractual, home-based work is call informal sectors 1 . Another definition, in (1972) ILO define the conception of informal sectors it's also that Kenya Mission Report, way of doing things characterized by -easy of entry, -reliance on indigenous resources, -family ownership; -minor scale operations; -labor exquisite and adaptable technology; -efficiency acquired beside of informal sector; -unregulated and competitive markets. During that time, several scholars defined the informal sector by the ILO itself 2 . Farrel , (2000) define, the informal sector as which entails economic actions which are not logged in the GDP and the domestic profits accounts 3 . To (Ojo, 1981) define the informal sector comprises minor scale units involved in properties construction and distribution and facilities with the prime objectives of producing employs and income, nonetheless the constraints on capital, both corporal and human, and the technical knowledge 4 . Ademu, (2006) identify the informal sector, "is that informal sector includes those employ producing activities accepted for survival in the nonattendance of formal employ 5 . These activities are generally conducted short of proper gratitude from the authorities & outflow the judgment of the administration equipment responsible for applying rule and regulation 6  consideration of the explanation of the figure about informal sector that research scholar mentioned upon the discussion, we understand that; Refers to women's employment in informal sector like household work, self-employment work, day labor work, personal ownership works, and self-minor opportunities work. So, those research papers could not focus on facing the existent problem of informal sectors. This research investigates the catchment area that the previous researcher had not properly tried to investigate in informal sectors in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Rational of the study
Bangladesh is a developing country in the world. It is a high densely populated country with a population of 166,060,868. About 90% populations in Bangladesh live below the poverty line. So, both men and women have to involve themselves in economic activities to maintain their livelihood. The involvement of the women workers in Bangladesh expansion at significantly more desperately than of man from 2016-2017. From the information of the Bureau of Statistics in Bangladesh, the women laborers gradually increased by 4.6% when the male labour increased by 1%. The significant growth of women labour was a symbol of women empowerment. But in a maximum of the sectors, female laborer does not get any safety. There is not any specific national policy at present on the safety net issue and very little discussion took place in society in this consideration. We realize that many laws are taken for female laborer safety net such as-Industrial Relation ordinance 1969, Workers' compensation at 1929, Payment and wages Act-1936, Maternity Act-1936, Factory Act -1965, Employment of labour (So) 1965 etc. But most of the labour laws are backdated with weak enforcement by concerned authorities. As a result, women workers are suffering from a wicked working environment and poor wages, quality and security are disregarded. Bangladesh is a male-dominated community in which women are treated unequally. It starts from the family and goes up in different sectors like the informal sector in outside world. Consequently, they face challenges to join outside the workforce like the informal sector. Their household members sometimes forbid them to go the outside at home. At the level of family, where women's voice is not heard, and thus, it shows the dis-empowerment of women in their family. In the outside world, exploitation of the informal women workers stresses from the very deigning of their recruitment process. Most of the women workers are not given formal job contract papers during their recruitment process. Sometimes they are victims of sexual and verbal abuse by their working place. Wage discrimination is a general scenario in the informal sector between male and female laborer. So, to realize the real situation of these issues we should accomplish an investigation of study. Moreover, no influential research study had been taken on the difficulties and perspectives of women worker in the informal sector. This research will be capable to trace out the difficulties and perspectives of women working in the informal sector in Dhaka, which creates the opportunity the further study in this consideration.

Objectives
The key objectives of this research to trace out the present situation and difficulties of female workers from informal sector in Dhaka City. There are some other specific objectives, and these are as follows:  To know the demographic and socio-economic conditions of women workers of informal sector.  To analyze their working pattern and working facilities.  To know about their participation in decision making.  To appoint the problems, they are facing in their working sectors.  To take opinion towards their betterment.

Ethical Consideration
The morality of the study was rigorously followed throughout this research. Each respondent was examined as exceptional and was abided with due regarded as an individual. Firstly, the explorer built up against intimacy with the respondents and them described the objective of the research. Discernment mood was followed in this consider which signify that no respondent would be justified whether she was correct or not in the event of her tusks or behavior.

METHODOLOGY:
The main method of the research was the social survey. We have followed qualitative and quantitative approaches too.

Sampling
The research has been accomplished among the informal female workers those work in different informal sectors in the Savar area of Dhaka city. The study involved a non-probability sampling technique to draw the necessary sample from the target population. For these research 60 women, informal sector laborer was selected as a sample based on purposive sampling technique from the different informal sectors where they work.

Data collection and analysis technique
In this research primary and secondary sources of data, both are considered. To achieve the goal of the research we used a pre-tested interview schedule and observation method to collect data. The collection of data was shorter and processed for analysis. A simple statistical tool like mean and percentages was used to analyze data. For processing and analysis purpose we also used SPSS, MS Excel, and MS Word. Table bar diagrams and pie charts had been applied for the presentation of data. ) are 8000-9000 and the lowest 9 respondents (15%) family expenditure are 10000-above. Their average monthly expenditure is 7100 Tk. The wage of the laborer constantly is not always enough to provide meats, but they manage it somehow by living marginally.

The reasons to migrate in Dhaka -Migration at
Entire family, to follow the others, & to fulfill the economic crisis. Informal women workers are migrated to Dhaka for various kinds of reasons. The above table shows that 71.67% of the participant moved to Dhaka due to unemployment and 83.33% due to poverty, 60.67% due to natural trouble, 46.67% due to landless, 41.67% due to other cases i. e. immigration of entire family to follow the others and to fulfill the economic crisis, respectively (Fig 1).
From the Fig 2, shows that highest 43.33% of female workers among 60 respondents work in garments sectors, 6.67% engaged in block-batik, 23.33% in day labour, 6.67% in flower seller, 10% in plastic worker, 5% in tailor, 3.33% in hawker, respectively. And an in significant amount of the participant 1.67% in packet maker.
Facilities in the working places -Though there have huge problems the informal women workers get some facilities which are essential for them. Maximum of the participants (58.33%) get their salary due time, 53.33% of the participants get their bonus/incentives, 33.33% get overtime, 20% get transport facilities, 8.33% get an accidental allowance, 33.33% get a medical allowance and 60% get weekly leave, respectively. Nazmul Alam, (2012), found more than 10 hours are working each day of female in informal sector. But they do not evaluated by their laborer hours (Fig 3).

Fig 4: Wage discrimination.
Wage discrimination is a regular scenario in informal sector interim male and female labour. This study found that the maximum number of female workers 43% face more wage discrimination, 30% of the participant indicated that their wage discrimination is medium. Elsewhere, only 15% of female workers said that they face less discrimination in their working places. A very few numbers of women workers 12% reported that there is not any discrimination in their working place (Fig 4). In Bangladesh, women are improving gradually through the involvement of female in different activities. The involvement of the informal sector is distinct of them. The research found that the female workers who get the benefit to perform in the decision making process are not sufficient level in their family. give their opinion about both property and free movement. Buying and selling decision 50% and food selection 33.33% respondent, respectively (Fig 5).

Decision making opportunity in the family
The job environment is an important factor for the women workers of informal sector. In this study negligible percent (5%) answered that they do not face any problem in their work-station, 1.67% of respondents have not answered and 93.3% said that they have faced different forms of problems (Fig 6).
In this study, we found that 48.33% of the percipients are harassed physically, mentally, sexually, or otherwise in their working places by their male colleagues, administration, or others. Lengthy working hours are the exhausting environment of the informal sector. 50% of women worker faced severe wage discrimination they said that where a male worker gets Tk.200.00 but a women worker gets Tk. 100.00 for the equivalent work and working hour. 38.33% of the respondent said when they are affected by illness or accident; they don't get sufficient medical/treatment allowances. 31.66% said that they never get any reward for extra work. 11.67% said they work under the open sky, 20% said they do not get toilet facilities properly, 18.33% of the participant said that they faced pressure to subscription money police, political leader, local mastan, etc. 75% of the participant said they have no rest hour, they negligent by others and they have no maternity leave with pay (Fig 7).
These are as follows   number 83.33% of respondent think that their vulnerable situation will be modified if the government will be built policy for their working sector and affirm social security. These opinions are very significant for the informal female workers in Bangladesh (Fig 8).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:
In this research, we found that most informal women workers are not aware of labour legislation. For that reason, they faced many kinds of problems in their working places. To reduce these conditions respondent or participant gave several opinions. 61.67% of respondent opined persecution free their work environment, 55% said equality opportunity for all. Providing toilet facilities 38.33%, sufficient allowances (Medical, Transport, Festival, Incentives etc.) 71.67%. Maternity leave is a humanitarian leave, but respondent said very few of them obtain it with salary and the majority does not get it. 66.67% of respondent said to assure their maternity leave with pay. 20% wants to establish a daycare service and 63.33% wants a healthy workplace. 48.33% opined formal training facilities should be introduced for them for their betterment. The highest number 83.33% of respondent think that their vulnerable situation will be modified if the government will be built policy for their working sector and affirm social security. These opinions are very significant for the informal female workers in Bangladesh. At present times, the socio-economic condition of female workers in the informal sector has improved radically. On some social indicators like education, health and empowerment progress have been observed. But the women's contribution in the formal estimation of GDP is much lower than the men. The main causes of this are women's disproportionate engagement in the informal sector. A safe and secure working environment is the fundamental right of the laborers' (UDHR, 1948). But, in Bangladesh, these problems remain unsolved, because of the unwillingness of people and lack of enforcement mechanism. In this regards, (Nazmul Alam, 2012) mentioned that the female workers of informal sectors are felt unsafe and felt the hazardous atmosphere, but they similarly do not become medical treatment. Though as per the constitution of Bangladesh, there would not be any discrimination of wage and salary in the workplace based on gender. The main causes of it are the women workers in the informal sector are not highly educated. Only 37% of workers studied from class five to seven and 21% have passed school secondary (SSC). So, they are unaware of their rights. 40% women workers get only 4000-to-5000-taka salary monthly and their expenditure is almost same. So, they have no savings and no economic security. They are always afraid about losing their job and if they lose it, they will not be capable to survive even a month. So, they do whatever task they are given without any argument. This research finds that 70% of the female workers are transshipped to urban area. There are many causes for them to migrate. Like poverty, unemployment, natural disaster etc. That shows if the working opportunity could be created out of the urban area, these people would not come from rural areas. Even though the women workers overcome all these sufferings and join their work, they must face some new problems in the workplaces. 94% of women said they are facing several problems in their workplaces. Sometimes they face sexual harassment and some problems like discrimination against men on wages, no maternity leaves with pay, not enough toilet and wash-rooms, no daycare centre, lack of training, lack of transport etc. To speak frankly, the present condition of female in the informal sector of Bangladesh is like it's creating a great opportunity for our economy to enrich but the women workers of it are maintaining their life with great deprivation. We expect in future our country will take informal sector in topper position by maintaining proper management and policies. For this objective, the study suggests some recommendation to solve the difficulty and for the wellbeing of the women workers of the informal sector. The recommendations are:  National policy should be updated, and the informal sector should get the priority.  A common minimum wage range should be declared by the authority  A large number of training opportunities should be created for workers to develop their skill.  Saving them from physical, mental, and sexual harassments.  Female workers should get respect in workplaces like men.  Ensuring entertainment and accommodation facilities.  Ensuring social security.  Increasing women's role in household decision making.
Lack of research, the problems of women's dignity relate to women's work in informal sectors. In Dhaka women, workers do not feel hesitant about the prestige of informal works. But the local city outside of Dhaka feels hesitant to do informal works inlay of informal labour works. In that context, G. Rodgers mentioned that dignity or 'decent work' means the labour should gratify social norms in regards to income, conditions, security, rights of man, and dignity (Ademu, 2006). Therefore, since the researcher could not collect such information in the research, so it is one of the barriers to the research. The researcher believes that in future there will be a new study in this thought.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
We are grateful to a lot of people for their support to conduct this study. First of all, we are thankful to the Gono Bishwabidyalay authority for giving us the opportunity for conducting this research. Some of our research students helped us to collect data and last but not the least some of our colleagues helped us highly to succeed this study. We are very much thankful to them for their support.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
There are no potential conflicts of self-interest among the authors. Everyone has done his/her part and there is no argument with anybody.