Introduction:

Slums are informal and unplanned settlements having a large number of urban poor people who
lack access to substandard housing, poor sanitation, insecurity and vulnerability. According to
the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), there were about 13,751 slums in Bangladesh in
2014, covering an area of 8,046 hectares and accommodating about 2.23 million households.

The employment structure of slum dwellers is an important indicator of their livelihood

conditions and economic opportunities. It can reveal the extent of poverty, inequality,
informality and vulnerability among slum dwellers. (Hossain et al. 2020) investigated the socio-
economic characteristics of slum dwellers in Pabna Municipality found that most of slum
dwellers were young, illiterate or low educated, migrants from rural areas, engaged in low skilled
or informal sector jobs, earning low income, living in rented or squatted houses with poor
facilities, facing various health problems, lacking social security and empowerment etc. (Islam et
al. 2019) analyzed that there was a significant variation in regional economic development
among different upazilas of Pabna district.

The aim of this study is to analyze the employment structure of slum dwellers in Pabna
Municipality in Bangladesh and compare it with the employment structure of the non-slum
population in this municipality, also explore the factors that influence the employment choices
and outcomes of slum dwellers and identify the challenges and opportunities for improving their
employment conditions and prospects.

Study Area:

Pabna is one of the districts of Rajshahi division in Bangladesh, located in between 23°48' and
24°21' north latitudes and in between 89°00' and 89°44' east longitudes with a population of
about 2.5 million people. Pabna district has 9 upazilas (sub-districts), 93 unions, 1,558 villages
and 8 municipalities.

Pabna Municipality is the administrative center and the largest urban area of Pabna district. It has
a population of about 190,392 people and covers an area of 27.43 square kilometers. According
to a report by Slum Development Master Plan (SDMP), there are 13 slums in Pabna
Municipality, covering an area of 9.7 hectares and accommodating about 2,045 households. The
slum population of Pabna Municipality was estimated at about 13,033 people.
 Fig 1: Locational Map of Pabna Municipality

Literature review:
A brief review of some relevant studies on slums and employment structure in Bangladesh and
other countries is presented below:

 Hossain et al. (2020) investigated the socio-economic characteristics of slum dwellers in

Pabna Municipality. The study used primary data collected through questionnaire survey
from 120 respondents in four selected slums of Pabna Municipality. The study found that
most of slum dwellers were young, illiterate or low educated, migrants from rural areas,
engaged in low skilled or informal sector jobs, earning low income, living in rented or
squatted houses with poor facilities, facing various health problems, lacking social security
and empowerment etc. The study recommended some interventions such as providing
legal recognition, ensuring basic services, creating employment opportunities and
enhancing social awareness for improving the situation of slum dwellers.

 Islam et al. (2019) analyzed the regional economic development of Pabna district in
Bangladesh using a shift-share approach. The study used secondary data from BBS to
 share components for nine upazilas of Pabna district for he period 2001-2011. The study
found that Pabna district had a positive regional share component but a negative national
share component and a negative industrial mix component. The study also found that there
was a significant variation in regional economic development among different upazilas of
Pabna district. The study suggested some policy implications such as promoting
industrialization, diversification, infrastructure development and human capital formation
for enhancing regional economic development in Pabna district.

 -Majale (2008) examined the employment creation through participatory urban

planning and slum upgrading in Kitale, Kenya. The study used a case study approach to
evaluate a project implemented by Practical Action (formerly ITDG) that aimed to
improve the living conditions and livelihoods of slum dwellers through community
mobilization, infrastructure provision, housing improvement, and enterprise development.
The study found that the project had positive impacts on employment creation both
directly and indirectly by enhancing the physical, social, and economic capital of slum
dwellers. The study also found that participatory planning and partnership building were
key factors for ensuring sustainability and replicability of the project outcomes.

 Bapari et al. (2016) assessed the impacts of unplanned urbanization on the socio-economic
conditions and environment of Pabna Municipality, Bangladesh.The study used primary
data collected through questionnaire survey, interview, and observation from 150
respondents in three selected wards of Pabna Municipality. The study also used secondary
data from various sources such as BBS publications, journal articles, books, and reports.
The study found that unplanned urbanization had resulted in various problems such as
overpopulation, haphazard housing service, health burdens, urban poverty, crime, child
labor, erratic education system, mismanagement of waste, deforestation, air, water, sound
and soil pollutions, carbon emission, environmental hazards, traffic jam, misand
unemployment, improper drainage system, inadequate entertainment facilities, drug abuse,
vulnerable ecosystem, medley lifestyle and culture etc. The study suggested some
effective measures to overcome these problems such as proper urban planning, land use
zoning, infrastructure development, waste management, afforestation, pollution control,
traffic management, employment generation, education promotion, entertainment
provision etc.
Objectives:
The main objective of this study is:
 To assess the differences and similarities between the employment structure of slum
dwellers and non-slum population in Pabna Municipality.

The specific objectives are:

 To describe the main sectors, occupations and income levels of slum dwellers in Pabna
Municipality.

 To examine the main determinants of employment structure among slum dwellers in

Pabna Municipality.

 To evaluate the main challenges and opportunities for enhancing the employment
opportunities and outcomes of slum dwellers in Pabna Municipality.

Methodology:
The research methodology for this study will consist of the following steps:

Data collection: The primary data for this study will be collected through a household survey
using a structured questionnaire. The survey will cover a sample of 120 households from two
selected slums (60 households from each slum) in Pabna Municipality. The sample will be
selected using a stratified random sampling technique based on gender, age and occupation

Fig 1.1: Flow chart of Methodology

criteria. The secondary data for this study will be collected from various sources such as BBS
publications, journal articles, books and reports.

Data analysis: The data analysis for this study will involve both descriptive and inferential
statistics using SPSS software. The descriptive statistics will include frequency distribution,
mean, median, mode, standard deviation, coefficient of variation etc. The inferential statistics
will include chi-square test, t-test, correlation, regression etc. The data analysis will also involve
graphical presentation using charts, tables, maps etc.

Data interpretation: The data interpretation for this study will involve explaining and
discussing the findings from data analysis in relation to the research questions, literature review,
and outcomes. The data interpretation will also involve identifying the limitations, implications,
and recommendations for further research.

Possible outcome:
The expected outcomes of this study are:

 To provide a comprehensive picture of the employment structure of slum dwellers in

Pabna Municipality in terms of sectors, occupations, and income levels.
 To compare and contrast the employment structure of slum dwellers with that of non-
slum population in Pabna Municipality.
 To identify and analyze the factors that influence the employment choices and outcomes
of slum dwellers such as education, skill, gender, age, migration status etc.
 To evaluate the challenges and opportunities for improving the employment conditions
and prospects of slum dwellers such as access to credit, training, market, infrastructure
etc.
 To contribute to the existing literature on slums and employment structure in Bangladesh
and other developing countries.
 To provide policy suggestions for enhancing the economic empowerment and social
inclusion of slum dwellers.
References:
BBS (2015). Report on Slum Census 2014: National Volume-I: Analytical Report. Dhaka,
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

BBS (2012). Population & Housing Census 2011: Socio-Economic & Demographic Report,
National Volume4. Dhaka, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

BBS (2017). Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh 2016. Dhaka, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

SDMP (2018). Slum Development Master Plan of Pabna Municipality: Report On

Socio Economic Survey And Mapping Of Slums In Municipal Area Of PABNA
MUNICIPALITY Dhaka, Slum Development Master Plan.

Bapari MH et al. (2016). Impacts of Unplanned Urbanization on the SocioEconomic Conditions

and Environment of Pabna Municipality, Bangladesh. Available at
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309555861_Impacts_of_Unpla
nned_Urbanization_on_the_SocioEconomic_Conditions_and_Environment_of_Pabna_M
unicipality_Bangladesh.

Islam MA et al. (2019). Regional Economic Development of Pabna District in Bangladesh: A

Shift Share Approach. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues 9(6):1–7.

Hossain MM et al. (2020). Socio-Economic Characteristics of Slum Dwellers in Pabna

Municipality. Journal of Business Studies 41(1): 1- 16.

Ashraf, M. A. (1995). Slums in Chittagong city: Strategy for improvement. (Report prepared for
the Task Force for Slum Improvement, Healthy Project Chittagong).

BBS (2011). Population and housing census 2011. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Bureau of
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BBS (2015). Census of slum areas and floating population 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh
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BBS (2017). Preliminary report on household income and expenditure survey 2016. Dhaka,
Bangladesh: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

Brundtland Commission (1987). Our Common future: The world commission on environment and
development. New York: Oxford University Press.

Burton, S. (1999). Evaluation of healthy city project: Stakeholder analysis of two projects in
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Carmen, G., & Isabel, N. (2015). Sustainable development of urban slum areas in northwestern
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26(6), 891–908.
CDE (2014). Cities of hope: Young people and opportunity in South Africa’s cities. Johannesburg,
South Africa: Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE).

Dhaka Tribune (2014). 300 Slums evicted in Chittagong. October 14, 2014, Dhaka.
〈http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/10/14/300-slums-evicted-inchittagong/〉
(Accessed 12 October 2017)