Livelihood Improvement of Tea Garden Workers: A Scenario of Marginalized Women Group in Bangladesh

Abstract

Aims: Tea is a profitable cash crop in Bangladesh but livelihood of its workers (women) is not emphasized properly. The principle objective of the study was to determine and describe the extent of livelihood improvement of tea garden workers. Study Design: Livelihood was measured by its five assets i.e. human, natural, physical, financial and social capital. Interview schedule was prepared for livelihood improvement indicators accordingly with four point rating scale i.e. highly improved, moderately improved, slightly improved, not improved at all respectively. Survey was conducted with the women tea garden workers. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Doldoli Tea Garden, one of the three gardens of National Tea Industries, at east Shahi Eidgah of Sylhet Sadar in Bangladesh throughout September to October, 2014. Methodology: Data were collected from 120 sampled women respondents using interview schedule. Results: Livelihood status moderately improved for the tea garden workers (63.3%). Social & physical capital mostly improved and financial capital deprived off specially. In case of livelihood improvement indicators; participation in voting (panchayet, local & national elections), availability of pure drinking water and children education ranked top. Livelihood improvement status of tea garden workers was mostly influenced by their condition of formal education, monthly income and communication media exposure. Conclusion: Financial capital of tea garden workers should be focused with proper importance.