Dignity, sanctity, and survivability–inequality and women's work of the jute mills of Bangladesh

Abstract
One of the foremost ways in which inequality is organizationally enacted is through the reproduction, perpetuation and legitimisation of gender and class divisions in the workplace. The idea of ‘ideal work’ looks for efficiency and capability, and thus, discriminates against women, nevertheless, this assumes a global dimension when the work organization is situated within the boundaries of postcolonial state, and serves the needs of the contemporary global capitalism. Inspired by the analytical framework of the subaltern studies broadly, or, postcolonial political economic feminist studies, I discuss experience of inequality of women workers based on work – which is a source of their survival-- through illustrating the interplay of two ideologically and culturally constructed notions – izzat and iman- . – and how thus how work becomes categorised and legitimised as ‘women’s work’ through everyday management activities. Izzat, an honour code, idealises the status of women, while iman connotes individuals’ moral-ethical stances entangled with perspectives of justice. I find women workers’ concerns for izzat and iman influence their intention and effort, and hence, their effort to change work for equality is grounded in their own ethico-moral, and socio-political context, linked with broader institutional perspectives. Consideration of these dynamics presents a challenge to the conventional understanding of work, institutions and inequality.