Terms of Reference (ToR)Action Research in the selected industrial sectors in Chattogram focusing workers’ rights and entitlements; analysis efficiency of project interventions and way-forward. Date: 14 May 2023 1. Introduction: This ‘Terms of Reference’ details the working modalities of the “Action Research in the selected industrial sectors in Chattogram focusing workers’ rights and entitlements; analysis the efficiency of project interventions and way-forward”. Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies- BILS is the commissioning authority of this research. The research constitutes an essential part of a partnering project between BILS and DGB-BW titled “Promoting Social Justice and decent work through the champion role played by women and youth TU Leaderships”. 2. Background and rationale: Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies-BILS has been working on workers’ issues in Chattogram in partnership with DGB-BW since 2016. The first and second phase of the partnership has already been successfully completed and significantly contributed in promoting workers’ issues in Chattogram region. At present, BILS is implementing the third phase (2022-24) of the partnership titled “Promoting Social justice and decent work through champion role played by Women and Youth TU leaderships”. The main objective of the running phase (2022-24) is to ensure the pregressive role of women and youth TU leaderships to address social justice and decent work in Chattogram region. The project interventions are being carried out in 7 selected industrial sectors in Chattogram i.e. RMG, Construction, Hotel-Restaurant, Health-Diagnostic, Small Transport, Beauty Parlor and Aluminum goods making industry. The direct target groups are the women & youth TU leaders/activists of the selected sector, local TU leaders and central NTUC leadership and the workers of the selected sector. The Indirect target groups include general workers and their families, Government Ministries and concerned departments & institutions, Government representatives from public institutions, Local representatives, Community, Society, labor friendly CSOs & NGOs, Lawyers, Journalists, University students and academicians, employers & employers’ groups etc. of Chattogram. The women & youth TU leaders/activists are the key instruments in implementing the project activities to promote social justice and decent work for workers of the selected sectors as well as in Chattogram region. The project envisages that women and youth activists will present decent work issues to workers, employers, government and other stakeholders through campaign and advocacy actions. The issues will include, for example, workers' rights and entitlements like wages, maternity protection, working hours, appointment letter, ID card, compensation, OHS, abuse and harassmentsetc. “A Situational Analysis of selected industrial sectors in Chattogram focusing decent work and workers’ rights” already conducted to obtain a clear benchmark data on the decent work and workers’ rights situation of the 7 selected sectors in Chattogram. Almost half of the project period (Jan 2022- Dec 2024) already completed and project implementation is on-going as per the project design and implementation plan. The key activities include capacity building of TU activist and leaders, awareness raising of workers on their rights and entitlements, organizing, support to the victim workers for their rights violation, advocacy/lobby with relevant government officials and employers, workshop/seminar with stakeholders to promote workers issues, networking with other stakeholders, issue based mass awareness campaign etc. So far, the overall project implementation progress is satisfactory in achieving the expected result. However, in some sector i.e. Aluminum, Beauty Parlour and Health -Diagnostic the progress is slow comparing to other 4 selected sectors. In the underlying circumstances, BILS is going to carry-out an action research titled “Action Research in the selected industrial sectors in Chattogram focusing workers’ rights and entitlements; analysis the efficiency of project interventions and way-forward” to identify the effectiveness of the project interventions in three sector i.e. Aluminum, Beauty Parlour and Health-Diagnostic, and identify the improvement areas/changes of the project interventions/activities/strategies in achieving the project objectives. 3. Research Objectives: The overall objective of the action research is to analysis the effectiveness of the project interventions in three industrial sectors of Chattogram city i.e. Aluminum, Beauty Parlour and Health-diagnostic, and identify the improvement areas/changes of the project interventions/activities/strategies in achieving the project objectives.
5. Scope of work: The issues/working areas will support the consultant, but not limited to
4. Research methodology: The study will employ a mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative method for data collection and analysis. Data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources. Quantitative data will be collected from selected sectors’ workers and employers, unions and other relevant stakeholders. Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Key Informant Interview (KII), Case study, etc. are preferred for collecting qualitative information. However, The Consultant will be responsible to develop suitable methodology to achieve to objectives of the study. 5. Working area of the study: The study will be carried-out in the selected industrial sectors in Chattogram. The selected sector are Health-Diagnostic, Beauty Parlor and Aluminum goods making industry of Chattogram city. 6. Time Frame: Total study period shall be for 2 months. Commencing from 01 June 2023 and is scheduled for completion by 31 July 2023. However, following work specifications of timeline should be maintained:
7. Style and length of the report:
8. Users of the Study: The project implementation team will be the main users of the action research and Trade Union activists and Leaders. Besides, the academicians, policy makers, employers, researchers, students and interns, relevant government authorities, civil society organizations, relevant professionals, media etc. can use research findings. 9. Required competencies of the researcher:
10. Application Procedure: Interested consultants/researchers are requested to submit proposals to Executive Director, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies - BILS, House -20, Road-11 (new) 32(old), Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209 or through email: bils@citech.net.
12. Application Deadline: |
