Working Conditions of Shipbuilding Workers in the Shipyards of Bangladesh: Problems and Consequences

Because of the advantage of low cost base, availability of more than two hundred shipyards in the country and huge capacity of production of passenger’s vessels, Bangladesh shipbuilding industry is enjoying a boom nowadays. The analysis in this study focuses on the working conditions of shipyards in Bangladesh and the problems of this industry and their consequences. Using a sample of 187 workers from Meghnaghat and Keranigonj areas, the study conducts an evaluation of the aspects of the livelihood of shipbuilding workers, assessment of the problems of workers of the shipyards, and identification of the consequences of the problems. Simple Tabulation, Cross Tabulation, Presented Tabulation, Pearson Chi-Square Test, Multiple Regression Analysis, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data gathered from the survey. The study found that most of the workers are unable to lead a good life because they can’t manage their basic needs properly and suffer from lack of supporting materials and safety measures, irresponsible behavior of the authority, and risky workplace environment. The report recommended that shipbuilding companies should ensure human rights and welfare of the workers of their shipyards by contributing to livelihood changes ensuring social security and good working conditions adhering to national and international laws and regulations.