Impact of Industrialization Dynamics of Occupational Changes: Tracing Workforce Evolution from Agricultural to Industrial Economies

Abstract

Industrialization has become a force that has changed the organization of work and socio-economic dynamic in Trishal Namapara. This project aims at investigating the connection between industrialization and occupational changes, income inequality, gender roles, migration and socio arrangements. The study uses both qualitative and quantitative research approaches (household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions) to further the knowledge on the experience of the workers in these transitions. The results indicate that there is a declining trend in the agricultural labor with 44.44 percent of the respondents having been in the farming industry, but had to decrease due to the industrial labor. The work conditions are poor and insecure, and there are no labor laws, although the wages are very good (8,000-18,000 BDT) and the work is relatively good. Moreover, the movement of individuals to urban areas so that they can seek employment in factories has destroyed the traditional family setups leaving the elderly dependents weak both socially and economically. Women are now taking part, industrially, particularly financially but this further increases the workload stress of domestic activities without pay. Every challenge has been accompanied by new economic opportunities as well, this causes development of infrastructures and development of skills. Nonetheless, there are always inequalities between the members of formal and informal sectors so that the latter are characterized by insecure jobs and revenues. This paper highlights the role of sustainable labor policies, skills training and social intervention in favoring an equal industrial development to all the subjects of the society.