Agargaon: Labor and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman today urged all concerned to make concerted efforts to protect the rights of female domestic workers and stop their abuses. He made the call while addressing the 'Women Domestic Workers Conference-2025' organized by Mass Literacy Abhiyan, BNSK, Sabujer Abhiyan Foundation, Awas, Sahay, and Ashar Alo Society in collaboration with Oxfam in Bangladesh and the European Union at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Auditorium in city's Agargaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the secretary emphasized the collaborative efforts with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to sign three conventions aimed at ensuring the safety and a decent working environment for workers. If implemented, these conventions would empower the government to take effective measures to halt the abuse of workers. Shafiquzzaman called for collective action to prevent the mistreatment of domestic workers.
During the conference, speakers highlighted the necessity for minimum wages for domestic workers, legal recognition of working hours and holidays, prevention of physical and mental abuse, inclusion in social security programs, and the enactment of special laws. The Labor Secretary assured that these demands would be forwarded to the relevant authorities as recommendations.
He provided guidance for domestic workers who might fall victim to abuse, advising them to contact national emergency services at 999, 16357, and 10921. Shafiquzzaman also mentioned that the Ministry of Labor and Employment is actively working to implement the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy-2015.
A moment of silence was observed at the conference in memory of the victims of a plane crash at Milestone School and the July martyrs. Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Executive Director of Mass Literacy Campaign, presided over the event. The discussion saw participation from various dignitaries, including Executive Director of BILS Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Head of Women Reform Commission Shirin Parvin Haque, Oxfam representative Tarek Aziz, and World Bank consultant ABM Khorshed Alam.
The event was attended by representatives from various ministries, domestic workers, and representatives of numerous development partners.