Grantee: South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM)
Grant period: January 2025 – April 2027
Country of focus: Bangladesh and India
FutureWORKS Asia is part of a global initiative supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges in the world of work across the Global South. As the Asian arm of this global network, FutureWORKS Asia is led by LIRNEasia and focuses on fostering high-quality, innovative, and gender-responsive research to shape the future of work in the region. Between 2023 and 2028, FutureWORKS Asia will award research grants and build a regional research network to generate actionable insights and influence policy. The first grant cycle is currently underway, with five projects selected to conduct pioneering research to explore key labormarket trends, technological advancements, and socio-economic shifts to ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
SANEM with Institute for Human Development have been selected to conduct a 24-month research and advocacy project, Gender Implications of the Future of Work in South Asia: The Challenges of Technological Change and Climate Transition in Garment Manufacturing in Bangladesh and India.
The project project explores how automation, and climate transition impact women’s employment in Bangladesh and India’s garment sector. With many low-skilled female workers at risk of job loss, the study aims to identify challenges, promote skill-building, and advocate gender-inclusive policies. By conducting surveys, interviews, and policy dialogues, we seek to ensure better working conditions, fair wages, and sustainable employment for women and marginalized groups in Bangladesh and India’s evolving job market
Through extensive surveys, interviews, and policy dialogues, the research seeks to provide actionable insights to policymakers, industry leaders, and workers’ organizations. The findings will contribute to the development of policies that safeguard employment opportunities, promote living wages, and create workplaces free from gendered harassment and violence.
-
Research objectives
-
Methodology
-
Grantee information
-
Research Team
The study focuses on employment challenges and opportunities resulting from digital and climate transitions, particularly for women in the garment industry. Using the Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) framework, the research will:
- Analyze the impact of automation and climate transition technologies on employment, skill demands, and working conditions for women.
- Examine gendered disparities in skills and education, and their effect on job retention and progression.
- Investigate policies for implementing fair wages, improved working conditions, and workplace protections against gender-based violence.
- Assess the role of social protection systems in supporting a just transition for vulnerable workers.
- Identify skill development strategies to prepare women workers for evolving roles.
- Engage with stakeholders to develop policy recommendations and facilitate cross-sectoral collaborations for inclusive and sustainable employment practices.
The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection:
- Field Surveys and Interviews: Surveys with garment sector employees, factory managers, and policymakers to assess employment trends and policy needs.
- Secondary Data Analysis: Examination of industry reports, labor market trends, and gender-disaggregated employment data.
- Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Sessions with workers, labor rights organizations, and employers to capture on-the-ground realities.
- Policy Dialogues: Engagement with key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, and international organizations, to advocate for gender-
The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), established in 2007 in Dhaka, is a leading think tank specializing in economic modeling and policy research. Its work spans key areas such as international trade, poverty alleviation, labor markets, and environmental policy. SANEM is committed to producing high-quality research, fostering regional and global collaborations, and mentoring young researchers through training and internship programs.
The Institute for Human Development (IHD) was established in the year 1998 under the aegis of the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), it is a non-profit autonomous institution that aims to contribute towards building a society that fosters and values an inclusive social, economic and political system that is free from poverty and deprivations. IHD undertakes research in the areas of labour and employment, livelihood, gender, health, education and other aspects of human development.
- Dr. Selim Raihan – Executive Director, SANEM (Lead) – Oversees the study in Bangladesh, coordinates with partner organizations, develops survey instruments, and leads policy recommendations.
- Dr. Balwant Singh Mehta – Professor, IHD (Co-Lead) – Leads research in India, engages stakeholders, and contributes to policy dialogues.
- Professor Dev Nathan – Director, IHD – Senior researcher supporting framework development and policy papers.
- Dr. Sayema Bidisha – Research Director, SANEM – Leads gender analysis and quantitative data analysis.
- Dr. Deeksha Tayal – Fellow, IHD – Conducts literature review, coordinates focus group discussions, and supervises fieldwork.
- Ms. Eshrat Sharmin & Ms. Priyanka Tyagi – Research and Program Coordinators – Manage workshops, stakeholder coordination, and dissemination activities.
- Prof. Alakh N. Sharma – Advisor – Provides strategic input and oversight.
This project is one of the five grantees selected under the first cycle of FutureWORKS Asia, a research initiative funded by IDRC and led by LIRNEasia, a pro-poor, pro-market think tank specializing in digital infrastructure and policy research. LIRNEasia’s work focuses on leveraging digital technology to enhance knowledge, information access, and economic opportunities, particularly for underserved communities.