Unveiling the reality: the toll of labor rights exclusion on Banishanta’s sex workers

Abstract

Bangladesh has a long history of prostitution. While religion forbids prostitution, its laws do not prevent a woman from becoming a prostitute if she so chooses. This oldest institution cannot be eliminated immediately since it is deeply ingrained in society. In addition to the issue of eradicating prostitution and dragging the workers out of the occupation, there is another pressing issue surrounding the "Labor rights" of these workers. In this context, this dissertation seeks to investigate the labor rights situation of sex workers in Banishanta village, Mongla, and gain insights into the daily challenges they face. Since "prostitution" is considered an informal occupation lacking legal protections and specific labor rights, this study also aims to assess how the absence of such rights affects the lives of sex workers. This dissertation also concentrates on identifying the factors that contribute to improving the well-being of sex workers. Simultaneously, it will analyze the factors that hinder the progress and development of these workers. This research centers on the marginalized sex workers of Banishanta, who not only face socio-economic challenges but are also grappling with the consequences of climate change. The rising water levels in the vicinity of Banishanta's brothels exacerbate their already difficult living and working conditions. There is a huge lack of data regarding the rights of sex workers in Banishanta. Existing data primarily emphasize climate change impacts and the hardships faced by the local population. This dissertation employs a qualitative research approach, involving the collection of primary data through interviews with sex workers who experience daily challenges stemming from both climate change effects and the absence of labor rights which lead them to disempowerment. The findings of the research reveal that the sex workers face challenges like, 10 impoverished living and working condition lead to poor hygiene access, inadequate health and medical facilities, improper education system for the worker’s children, disorganized wage system, lack of security and one of the major challenge is facing the ‘social stigmatization’. The concept of work hours, sick leave and holidays are completely new to some new workers and are myth to some of the older workers. Furthermore, significant factors such as social stigmatization hinder the progress of these workers. Nevertheless, a few actors, NGO and certain government organization are making efforts to offer assistance to help improve their lives. Another intriguing fact came out in my research that the primary emphasis of the stakeholders tend to be on providing aid rather than ensuring the protection of their labor rights and ensuring their overall well-being in long-term. The findings mentioned have been examined through the framework of 'Intersectionality' by Kimberle Crenshaw and 'Empowerment' by Naila Kabeer. This analysis has helped to comprehend how the lack of labor rights contributes to distinct experiences in the lives of sex workers considering their age, background, race/ beauty standard and status in the brothel and further explores their encounters with disempowerment and empowerment. This dissertation makes a contribution to the current body of research by placing a central focus on labor rights. It comprehensively considers multiple facets, including the legal and societal consequences, as well as the pervasive issue of social stigma. Furthermore, this research illuminates the challenges experienced by sex workers in the midst of and following the COVID-19 pandemic, offering valuable insights into the pandemic's far-reaching effects on their means of earning a livelihood.