Authors : Zahurul Islam

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 11 - November

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2mt83sdn

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3fu7uhhb

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14472586

Abstract : Unpaid labor in Bangladesh, encompassing household work, caregiving, and volunteer activities, plays a critical yet undervalued role in both the economy and society. Economically, unpaid labor underpins the productivity of paid labor by maintaining household stability and supporting agricultural and small-scale enterprises. Despite its significant contributions, such as sustaining local economies and informal sectors, unpaid labor is often omitted from official economic metrics like GDP, leading to an incomplete understanding of economic productivity. Sociologically, unpaid labor reflects entrenched gender roles, with women and girls bearing a disproportionate share of domestic and caregiving responsibilities, which reinforces gender inequalities and affects their access to paid employment and educational opportunities. Feminist theory critiques the undervaluation of unpaid labor as a reinforcement of gender disparity, emphasizing the need for recognition and equitable valuation of this work. Policy and advocacy efforts are essential to address these issues, advocating for measures like paid family leave and better social recognition to support unpaid laborers. Cultural norms and societal perceptions also pose challenges to improving recognition and support for unpaid labor. Addressing these multifaceted issues through improved data collection, policy development, cultural change, and heightened awareness is crucial for enhancing the recognition and support of unpaid labor, fostering gender equality, and achieving a more equitable society in Bangladesh.

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