Safeguarding and Empowering Female Workers under Bangladesh Labour Law: An Appraisal

Abstract

This paper assesses the Bangladesh Labour Law women worker guarding provision mechanisms, their relevance , and conformity with international standards. To consider the extent to which the present labour laws protect women's rights and empower women in the workplace, this study begins with a rationale, objectives, and research questions. In building a theoretical model to assess current practices, the paper is grounded in feminist legal theory, quality equality, and international labour standards. The economic contributions of women in the area of garment and services industries are affected to some extent by changes that have occurred in their workforce rights over time, from before the independence era until the recent ones, so that you may develop this paper through historical research. The body of legislative analysis examines the roles of labor courts and supervisory bodies, the provisions for statutory protections in the Bangladesh Labour Act and its amendment acts, and constitutional rights. Special attention is given to protection measures, including maternity leave benefits, occupational safety and health, prevention of sexual harassment, and equal pay. Other subjects of the study focus on legal empowerment measures such as social security, trade union representation, access to justice, and capacity-building activities. It highlights significant differences between law and reality, particularly in unorganized, export-oriented industries, where enforcement remains weak. Comparing perspectives on international conventions and South Asian practices helps identify best practices and lessons for Bangladesh. The findings indicate that while the Bangladesh Labour Law provides a strong legal basis for protecting women's rights, there are institutional and structural challenges to its implementation. To enable women workers to achieve full empowerment, the study suggests comprehensive legislative changes alongside more effective enforcement measures, leading toward greater legal consciousness and gender-aware governance. Ultimately, the study also contributes to debates on labor law reform and gender justice in developing countries.