Dhaka:Bangladesh has made significant strides in legally recognizing domestic workers, yet persistent societal attitudes hinder substantial change, as highlighted at a recent event.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the programme, 'Hands That Hold Homes Rights, Resilience and the Future of Domestic Workers,' was organized by Oxfam in Bangladesh to commemorate seven years of the Securing Rights for Women Domestic Workers in Bangladesh (SUNITI) project. Though the project, supported by Global Affairs Canada, has made progress in recognizing domestic workers' roles, challenges such as low wages, long hours, and workplace harassment remain pervasive.
Speakers at the event, including Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Md. Humayun Kabir, emphasized that the government alone cannot ensure workers' rights and stressed the need for societal involvement. Kabir noted that while the government has plans to update labor regulations, a broader social responsibility is necessary.
Former Adviser to the caretaker government, Rasheda K Chowdhury, pointed out that legal changes alone won't suffice without a shift in societal mindset. She advocated for the recognition of domestic workers as co-workers and called for enhanced childcare facilities and better social protection.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, former Chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, praised the partial recognition of domestic workers in labor laws but urged for further strengthening of worker organization and leadership. The event also highlighted SUNITI's contributions to enhancing workers' skills and collective organizing, with insights from Jane Palmer of Global Affairs Canada and Neeran Ramjuthan of ILO Bangladesh.
The launch of the project's flagship publication marked a significant moment, presenting seven years of evidence and stories from domestic workers' lives. An evaluation presented by Pushpita Saha of Oxfam Canada showed increased awareness and negotiation skills among domestic workers, though significant improvements are still needed.
The event concluded with discussions on implementing amended labor laws, enhancing social protection, and boosting worker leadership, underscoring the ongoing journey towards securing the rights of domestic workers in Bangladesh.