There is a close relationship between urban poverty and slums. In 1991 BRAC conducted a survey on urban slums and found that a substantial number of slum children had no access to education. Considering the need of urban slum people in 1992, BRAC opened urban schools in 1997 and also started the urban credit programme. BRAC works with concerned authorities like the City Corporations, the Health Department, and Water and Sewerage Authority to provide safe water and sanitation for slum dwellers. Many female workers in urban areas have little access to proper housing facilities. BRAC has started to construct a hostel for garment workers. It has also started absorbing a number of retrenched garment workers into its micro finance programme with an average loan size of US$ 86 (Tk. 5,000).

Hostel for Garment Workers

BRAC proposed to build hostels complex for young, single women working in the garment industry in Dhaka.

The idea originated due to a growing awareness of the poor living conditions and security problems faced by young women while working in the city for their livelihood. These women are not only deprived of fair wages but also have to cope with the risks associated with living in slums - an unhealthy and congested living environment, insecure housing, and threats as well as potential sexual harassment from mastaans (muscle men in the area). At present, secure accommodation for women at low rental prices are not available in areas where garment industries are concentrated.

In these hostels, basic utilities and services such as a fully functional canteen, a laundry room, a common room and maintenance services for the building will be provided. There will also be a sick room, and a doctor’s chamber, and BRAC also plans to provide the residents with additional benefits such as adult literacy and legal aid classes and a fully equipped common room with a TV, newspapers and books. The women residing in the hostel will have to pay Tk. 300-400 per month as rent.