Trade liberalization and gender gap: Bangladesh experience

This paper explores the gender differentiated effects of trade liberalisation in Bangladesh. Since the Ready -Made Garments (RMG) industry employs the largest number of industrial female workers and contributes the most in export earnings and GDP, our analysis is mainly based on this industry. The paper finds that trade has created more than 5 times higher job for women than men in the RMG sector. However, female workers are more discriminated than the male counterparts in terms working conditions such as granting leave and sickness incidence. Males’ working hours are found longer than females’ working hours. Nationwide, women’s wage is much lower than men’s wage for all kinds of labour. However, income gap between male and female workers seems lower in the RMG sector. The low level of education and skill of female workers, male’s longer working time, poor attitude and belief of employers about women’s ability and skill are the main factors for this gender differentiated income. Keyword: Trade liberalisation, gender gap, Bangladesh JEL Classifications: F10, F14, F16