Dhaka: Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by domestic workers due to a lack of educational opportunities, which leaves their rights unprotected within the socio-economic framework of the country. "Domestic workers face workplace harassment and abuse, and their rights are not safeguarded because of their educational disadvantages," she stated during a policy dialogue event.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser made these remarks while addressing the 'Policy Dialogue for the Protection of Domestic Workers and Improvement of Living Standards' as the chief guest. The event was organized by the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) at the CIRDAP auditorium. Sharmeen Murshid noted that domestic workers are deprived of equitable opportunities due to the non-implementation of the Domestic Workers Welfare Policy 2015.
She emphasized the need for collaboration between civil society organizations and relevant ministries to enhance the welfare activities for domestic workers from a marginal stage. Sharmeen appreciated the initiative taken by Oxfam in Bangladesh to organize this dialogue, expressing her solidarity with the effort to protect domestic workers and improve their living standards.
Sharmeen S Murshid also referenced a BBS survey from 2022, which indicated that there are approximately 2.5 million domestic workers in Bangladesh. Of these workers, 90 percent are women and 80 percent are children who lack formal education. She stressed the importance of compulsory schooling for every child and the integration of religious education with formal education. The adviser suggested that by acquiring technical education, domestic workers could secure higher-paying jobs both within the country and abroad.
The event was chaired by Executive Director of CAMPE Rasheda K Chowdhury, with notable attendees including Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Head of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission and Founding Member of the Naripakhya Shirin Parvin Haque, World Bank Consultant ABM Khorshed Alam, Program Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh Mahmuda Sultana, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Dr. Fawzia Moslem, Acting Coordinator of the Network for the Establishment of Domestic Workers' Rights Abul Hossain, and Deputy Director of CAMPE Tapan Kumar Das.