Sat 30 Jun 2007
Bostrobalikara, the story of Bangladesh’s Garment’s Industry
Posted by Rumi under Bangladesh , Human Rights , Labor , WomenBlogger Shafiur Rahman is a very passionate man. It is evident from his papertrail that the plight of the poorly paid readymade garments industry workers in Bangladesh is one of the subjects where his passion runs specifically very high. And probably out of that drive, Shafiur decided to step beyond the domains of blogging and internet research. He joins hands with film maker Tanvir Mokammel and photographer Anowar Hossain to make the ultimate documentary on the state of Bangladesh ready made garments industry.
The name of the documentary is Bostrobalikara. Famed Bangladeshi film maker Tanvir Mokammel is the script-writer and director. Shafiur Rahman is co-producer and researcher in making of the documentary.
In Tanvir Mokammel’s words, this is why the documentary was made,
I have been watching these garment girls for the last two decades. Like any conscientious person in contemporary Bangladesh, I have deep sympathy for this hardworking, silent army of working girls who walk up to their factories at dawn and return, often very late at time. They are very conspicuous as a social group on the streets of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chittagong. We know they are very low paid, and they receive very little respect from the mainstream community. I once wrote a poem about these BOSTROBALIKARA. I wanted to make this film with the aim to sensitize concerned people about their plight, which, in turn, may help achieve better wages and more respect for these hapless girls.
The theme question of the documentary is aptly put in words by coproducer and researcher Shafiur Rahman,
Bengal once had a vibrant and renowned textile industry in the 17th and 18th centuries. Now that it has again risen, is it prepared to sustain itself in the future and to face the many challenges international trade poses?
Not very frequently a documentary could be so captivating. Compared to other Bangladesh made amateur works, clearly it is a very professionally made piece of work. Definitely the direction and screenplay of Tanvir Mokammel and cinematography of legendary photographer Anowar Hossain have its effect.
The footage of child labor will make you rub your eyes, and make you wish that this was not real. There are also some very difficult to obtain footage of frank political admissions by certain individuals involved with this industry.
I found the documentary very balanced in incorporating voices of all the sides of the story. It clearly lets us understand the issues and problems of the owners and at the same time it strongly refutes all the second thoughts about the worker’s claims and their movements. I have always been somewhat skeptical of Moshrefa Mishu or someother garments leader’s activities. This documentary has removed that skepticism from my mind. The factual truthfulness and balance clearly distincts this documentary from related works.
The stories of personal lives of the working girls were very moving. Those interview of the girls with their boyfriends in the park, their future marriage dreams and plans of life were eye epener to another untold side of this story. The viewers will fall in love with the central character, Nur Jahan. Her candid expressions of the reality, her happiness, pain and concerns, her love —all will touch our heart. And this speaks of the value of this documentary as a work of art.
The activist and poetic side of Tanvir Mokammel was unknown to me until I saw this documentary.
The DVD of bostrobalikara will soon be available in amazon.co.uk. Please visit the bostrobalikara’s official web site for further information and support this noble cause by buying a DVD.
June 30th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Rumi bhai,
Mr. Mokammel has also made another documentary called Kornuphulir Kanna (teardrops of Karnaphuli) on the CHT issue. As one might expect, it was banned by the previous government soon after being released.
July 1st, 2007 at 6:30 am
Dear Rumi,
Thanks for the post. I don’t know the theme of the film whether it is presented in a positive or negative way. These Bostrobalikas are working hard to change both social and economical situation of them and country. Now they have ground under foot to raise their voice but one thing we have to understand that if this industry is in trouble and loose competitiveness in the world then again there would be no ground. This time it would be more disasterous.
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:59 pm
The team as well as Rumi needs to be congratulated for this joint effort to increase the awareness of the pros n cons of the garments Industry. Now for some comments, purely academic from my side:-
1.I fully agree with Rupen’s comments in #2- we must remember that the price is controlled by the foreign companies that places the orders.
2.Shafiqur Rahman’s philosophy:”Bengal once had a vibrant and renowned textile industry in the 17th and 18th centuries. Now that it has again risen, is it prepared to sustain itself in the future and to face the many challenges international trade poses?”- The industry was vibrant because materials were available in plenty and skillful workers were of this very region(especially in respect of MUSLIN)-no other workers from abroad knew this– therefore Price was controlled by our own Entrepreneurs.
Now modern technology abroad has shifted the materials market and taste of customers too are rather Westernized and fashion changes faster than predicted- so market is controlled by Western Entrepreneurs and our workers have to to play to their tune.
3.”The footage of child labor will make you rub your eyes, and make you wish that this was not real.”-This results because of two factors;(a)Lac of Government effort to monitor and ensure that childrens attend the free schools that are available in the country and (b)the lac of the Parents willingness to send children to school which means less income in the family.
However it is pathetic to see “Child Labour” incresing but on the other hand the positive side is the fact that becausu they are earning some money these children are safe from being victims of antisocial activities and crimes.
4.”The stories of personal lives of the working girls were very moving.”- the personal lives are destroyed because first working in garments means leaving school(so no education) then major portion of their salary is wasted in personal living costs and family support;their savings are very limited. Theyn get to have boy friends from amongst workers within the factory or neighbouring factories but the end result remains the same– the boys marry for a short time in quest for money from dowry and after two children are born thay wander off to find a new girl-friend leading to new dowry money and new I would put sexual life– very few marry to get settle– This attitude/style should be first bropught to a stop by our Government,Civil society and NG0 ’s as a team.Unless this solved the problem of life deprived of Love and Peaceful /Happy life is bleak.
Anyhow I hope these DVDs will raise the conscience oif the Citizens and specially the Politicians who will take into cognizance their plights while making a policy for these Garment workers. Hopefully a better housing facility, means to untilize their savings for further economic benefits would be a great.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
Yesterday night ETV channel held a talk show in respect of this with BGMEA Parvez, a business person(couldnt get the name ) and a girl from the workers. All pros cons were discussed- and they too discussed :-
1.Limitation of offering more wages due to Low CM offered by foreign importers.
2.They also realize that the owners have to incurr additional expenses specially because of power failure, transport cost due to enhanced fuel costs etc.
Anyway BOTTOM line is that hopefully the working group will realize that this Garments Industry is not a Goose that lays GOlden EGGS- if squuezed too much the Goose will fly off to other countried leaving them high n dry.
A point was made about the Factories that indicates that there r two types- 1.That takes the Main order n is responsible for the whole shipment and 2. The second type takes SUB-Order from the Main and is responsible to deliver to factory that Quantity they could make according to specifications. Quite obviously two types of factory will offer two types of salary packets and here if the workers dont understand the differential they could be in serious problems.
Lets say you are abroad n marketing and finds same shirt offered by two shops in two prices- obviouslt the choice will be to take it from the Shop that offers less- the pricing of CM for factories work in the same manner.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Thanks Rumi bhai for posting this. I think these ‘Bostrobalikara’ are the forgotten part of our society. I mean, we see them everyday in the street and we’re so used to seeing them that we do not think it different or can consider that they have lives, rights and passions. In the last two decades, we even didn’t hear a single word about their rights and abuses until recently when a movement broke out and took a wrong turn of causing a damage to the factories. I am sick and tierd of hearing the same arguments of owners that they can not offer more wages because they have to be competitive. I think raising the salary as per agreement will not do any harm to the sustainability of the factories. A number of garments industries have already set up a standard of quality workplace in their own premises. If they can, why not the rest? The owners have wealth, education, network and power to express these views while on other hand, garments workers are very un-organized, and are being used by the political leaders for their political goals. I’ve also seen the same list of rich garments owners who lead a lavish life, take their children to sponsor and to study in foreign countries, possess bank accounts and properties in the West - all in the name of competitiveness. I think there should be a regulatory commission that can regulate and protect interests of both the parties. BGMEA is not enough cause thats an organization of the owners. On a different note, I was wondering whether there is any comparative study on the economic situation of garments workers and microcredit lenders, both being women and at the same bottom layer of economic paradigm?
My 2 cents.
Partha
October 19th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Partha, I am from Canada, currently studying joint honors in Women Studies and sociology. I am a Bangladeshi with Canadian citizenship. So far my understanding both women and men of all the underdeveloped countries are going through the same injustices and inequalities under the domain control of powerful countries. If we investigate development theories, projects and practices, we can easily recognize what is going on in global contexts by the name of globalization, structural Adjustment Program, Poverty Reduction program, Gender and Development program with the help of IMF, the World Bank etc is not justice or human rights for the entire population of the all underdevelopment countries.
Not only garments workers, but the owners of the factories are also in traps. If you look at the patterns of exploitations under the neo-colonization of capitalisms, you will see how and why our political, social, and economical leaders unable to have wise steps to improve our situations.
The entire country is under debts of foreign-dominant countries. Then how the capitalists (like garment owners) open their new industries, factories, businesses? From where do they get their money to invest in their businesses? They get their money from the foreign loans under extreme pressures and conditions. In additions, they have to pay back high interests. Are they free to make their business decisions? Do they have power to control their destinies? Do they have voices in front of the donor countries or rich organizations?
If, as a country, we do not have power to make our own decisions in social, political, economical, even cultural contexts, then how will we have the power in industrial levels?
Let analysis one example: You don’t know me, do you? But you agree to give me one million dollars to open my business overseas. You will not give me that huge amount of money without any conditions. Will you? What will be your condition giving me such huge amount of money when you know I am under poverty, and I will never pay back your loans, yet you want to give me money! For why Partha? Why?? What is the reason behind that you are helping me out?
October 20th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I am agree with Sultana, we need to understand the Power of the dominant countries and Power of our own countries. We should stop paying back those loans which is hunting us forever.
October 21st, 2007 at 10:39 am
[...] Comment on Bostrobalikara, the story of Bangladesh’s Garment’s …Partha, I am from Canada, currently studying joint honors in Women Studies and sociology. I am a Bangladeshi with Canadian citizenship. So far my understanding both women and men of all the underdeveloped countries are going through the … [...]