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Sustainable Development in the Printing Industry of Bangladesh: A Qualitative Assessment of Gender Equality, Decent Work, and Hygiene Standards

Author

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  • Nafew Sajed Joy
  • Md. Mahfuzur Rahman

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within Bangladesh’s printing industry, with a particular focus on SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 60 workers and in-depth interviews with 15 printing house owners and managers across three major printing hubs in Dhaka, the research explores the current conditions, opportunities, and key barriers to aligning the industry with global sustainability targets. The findings reveal a complete absence of female participation, inadequate sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, and pervasive occupational health risks due to unsafe working conditions and chemical exposure. Workers report limited access to welfare support and express dissatisfaction with wage structures and workplace environments. Despite the industry’s economic significance, institutional efforts to promote gender sensitivity and worker welfare are minimal. The study highlights the urgent need for gender-inclusive policy reforms, enhanced water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, and stronger enforcement of labor rights to foster sustainability and equity within the industry. It concludes with recommendations for policy interventions and multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at transforming the printing industry into a more inclusive and resilient contributor to Bangladesh’s broader development agenda and SDG commitments.

Suggested Citation

  • Nafew Sajed Joy & Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, 2026. "Sustainable Development in the Printing Industry of Bangladesh: A Qualitative Assessment of Gender Equality, Decent Work, and Hygiene Standards," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 42(1), pages 132-163, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:42:y:2026:i:1:p:132-163
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X251371355
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emon Kalyan Chowdhury, 2024. "Cultural Norms And Their Effect On Entrepreneurial Endeavors: Perspectives From Bangladesh," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 29(01), pages 1-24, March.
    2. Mattie Susan Landman & Neave O'Clery, 2020. "The impact of the Employment Equity Act on female inter-industry labour mobility and the gender wage gap in South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-52, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Shankha Chakraborty & SM Shihab Siddiqui, 2024. "Female Labor Force Participation in Bangladesh and Neighboring Indian States," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 201-220, December.
    4. Riccardo Leoncini & Mariele Macaluso & Annalivia Polselli, 2023. "Gender Segregation: Analysis across Sectoral-Dominance in the UK Labour Market," Papers 2303.04539, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2023.
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