NewKerala.com

Gender Wage Gap Persists in Rural Bangladesh: Women Earn Less Despite Same Work

Women in rural Bangladesh earn significantly less than men for identical agricultural work, with a daily wage gap of Tk 150-200. Workers like Sumita Bala and Nirmala Rani report receiving Tk 250-300 while men get Tk 400-500 for the same tasks. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics confirms the disparity, showing average daily wages of Tk 625 for men and Tk 462 for women. Experts emphasize that inadequate monitoring of wage policies enables exploitation and weakens women's economic empowerment.

Key Points: Gender Wage Gap in Rural Bangladesh: Women Paid Less

  • Women earn Tk 250-300 daily vs men's Tk 400-500
  • Disparity accepted as "normal" by some workers
  • BBS data shows Tk 625 for men, Tk 462 for women
  • Experts call for better wage policy monitoring
2 min read

Women do same work but are paid less: Stark gender wage gap persists in rural B'desh

Women in rural Bangladesh earn Tk 150-200 less than men for identical agricultural work. Workers speak up about the stark disparity and call for government action.

"It's the same work, yet the pay is lower. - Nirmala Rani"

Dhaka, May 2

Bangladesh's rural workforce continues to witness a significant wage disparity, with women earning less than their male counterparts despite undertaking identical tasks, according to a report.

Field observations and interaction with workers in the Thakurgaon district indicated that women are often paid lower wages than men despite working similar hours and putting in equal effort, according to a report in the leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star.

During the conversation, 40-year-old Sumita Bala said that even after working "all day in the sun and rain", the female workers earn a maximum of Bangladeshi taka (Tk) 250-300 a day, whereas male workers receive Tk 400-500.

Another female worker, Nirmala Rani, while measuring and packing dried chillies into sacks, said, "It's the same work, yet the pay is lower."

On the other hand, 42-year-old Rehana Begum questioned, saying, "Do we work any less than men? Then why are we paid less?"

"Landowners say we (women) cannot perform all tasks like men, which is why our wages are lower," she added.

Afiya Begum, a housewife, said that women shoulder multiple responsibilities, from managing childcare and household chores to rearing livestock and assisting in agricultural work, but their contributions remain undervalued.

"Even in day labour at fields and farms, we are paid Tk 150 to Tk 200 less than male workers. No one, including the government, speaks about this. We are deprived in every way," The Daily Star quoted Arfiya as saying.

Highlighting that many women have come to accept the disparity as "normal", Nihar Rani said, "If we demand higher wages now, we may not get work at all."

In its 2025 quarterly report, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) stated that the average daily wage in agriculture stood at Tk 625 for men and Tk 462 for women in December last year.

Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, Executive Director of the Eco Social Development Organisation (ESDO), said that despite their significant role, women continue to endure long working hours, lower wages, and persistent discrimination.

He said that inadequate monitoring of wage policies enables employers to exploit workers through lower pay, noting that such disparity weakens women's economic empowerment and discourages their involvement in agriculture.

Emphasising that women are engaged in more than half of agricultural activities, Md Mazedul Islam, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Thakurgaon, said that coordinated efforts are required to acknowledge their contributions and reduce wage gaps.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

V
Vikram M
This is a systemic issue that goes beyond just wages. When landowners say women can't do all tasks, it's a convenient excuse to pay less. I've seen similar attitudes in our own villages. We need awareness campaigns and strong labour laws that are actually implemented. 🙏
J
James A
As someone from the West, I find this disparity shocking but not surprising. The same gender pay gap exists here too, though perhaps less stark in agriculture. Bangladesh needs to learn from countries that have successfully narrowed this gap through policy and social change. Solidarity with the women of Thakurgaon.
P
Priya S
Nihar Rani's point really hit me – 'If we demand higher wages now, we may not get work at all.' That's the fear that traps women in this cycle. In India too, many women in rural areas hesitate to speak up. We need more women-led cooperatives and collective bargaining to change this. The government must act.
S
Sarah B
It's 2025 and women are still being told they can't do all tasks like men? That's just an outdated stereotype. The data from BBS says it all – men earn Tk 625, women Tk 462 for the same agricultural work. This is not just a Bangladesh problem; it's a global issue that needs urgent attention. Respect to the women speaking out.
R
Rohit P
The article highlights a harsh reality, but I wish it also discussed solutions more concretely. ESDO's Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman is right about weak monitoring. In India, we have the M

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50