B’Desh Govt’s women dormitory fails to resolve housing issue for female RMG workers

Bangladesh Government’s 12-storey dormitory in Ashulia (Dhaka) seems to have failed to evoke much response from the workers.

The dormitory was built for the women workers engaged in the readymade garment sector in the industrial areas like Savar and Ashulia.

The dormitory reportedly remains empty even after being ready for almost a year now. It aimed at solving the housing problem faced by the garment workers.

Despite offering lodging facility at an affordable rate of Taka 1,000 per month, the dormitory’s ‘barrack-like’ arrangement and the lack of gas connection are reportedly the main reasons behind the workers staying away from it.

The management of the dormitory has reportedly lumped in 62 beds in each room, and if that was not all there are reportedly only 12 toilets and 12 bathrooms in the entire building to cater to all.

“It is not possible to live with 61 others in one room. This is why I did not choose it even though the monthly rent is low,” told Mahela Akter, a garment worker who resides in Ashulia area and recently went to check the dormitory’s facility.

The setting should have been better as the workers need to rest in peace after a full-day work, said Nazma Akter, President of Sommilito Garments Sromik Federation, a Bangladeshi garment workers’ rights body.

“Really, it is impossible to live like that,” she maintained.

As per media reports, the building has been built on 1.48 acres of land in Ashulia with an outlaid budget of Taka 260 million to provide dormitory facility to around 744 female workers. The workers otherwise have to spend nearly 50 per cent of their monthly income as house rent.