Case Study

Explore the difference between a person who is forced to work and a person who has freely chosen employment. Let trainees go through 2 cases and decide whether the form of work is forced or freely chosen (15 mins).

Visual Aid:  3.5.1: Case Study

ABDUL Abdul, 50 years old, works as a construction worker based in Dhaka and works more than 10 hrs a day. He used to be a farmer however lost his land due to river bank erosion and has a lot of debts which he took from his employer. He would like to go back to his family whom he has not seen for many years. His employer does not give him leave since he does not trust him that he comes back and work and pays back the loans. All his savings stay with his employer whom he trusts.

MAHMOOD Mahmood works in a garment factory as a supervisor. He has a contract which allows him to take annual leave and casual leave. He draws a good salary but feels that other companies might pay better. He feels that he needs to change his job if he wants to advance. He enquires with other factories and decides that he will leave the job. He informs his employer, who provides him with a letter of reference and wishes him all the best.

Let trainees reflect whether they know or have experienced incidences of forced labour (5 mins).

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Visual Aid:  3.5.2: What should not be done and would be forced labour

Forced Labour is illegal in Bangladesh! ·       Are all forms of work or service from any person, who has not worked voluntarily ·       Disrespects basic human rights ·       Work is not acceptable under threat or force ·       Employer cannot force women to work at night ·       Employers cannot force persons to work overtime ·       Employers cannot withhold payments or identity cards of workers ·       A worker has the right to leave and lunch and toilet breaks ·       A worker must be free to change employment!