Women working in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector earn at least 26% less than their male counterparts, according to the latest survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The report, titled Crop Statistics and Agricultural Labor Wages, shows that in December, male agricultural laborers earned an average daily wage of 625 taka, while women earned 462 taka for similar work.
The survey highlights that this wage disparity persists across different payment structures, including cases where meals are provided alongside wages. Male laborers receiving meals earned 523 taka per day, compared to 385 taka for women under the same conditions. The findings indicate that gender-based wage inequality remains consistent regardless of variations in compensation practices.
Agriculture remains the largest employment sector in Bangladesh, accounting for 44.67% of the workforce. Women constitute a significant portion of this labor force, with 23.7 million women participating, of whom 22.87 million are employed. Data also shows that rural women are engaged in the majority of agricultural tasks, contributing to 17 out of 21 types of work in the sector.
Despite this extensive participation, women’s labor is often undervalued and not fully recognized as a source of household income. Research cited in the report indicates that women perform significantly more labor in rural agricultural settings, yet continue to receive lower wages and limited recognition within the economic structure.
The survey was conducted through monthly data collection across upazilas, based on interviews with agricultural day laborers. The findings underscore persistent gender-based disparities in wages within informal labor sectors, including agriculture.
Source: Samakal
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