Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized the importance of recognizing the legitimate rights of female domestic workers as a crucial aspect of the ongoing women’s struggle in the country. She made these remarks during a discussion titled ‘Rights of the Domestic Workers and their Challenges for Implementation: Dialogue for Framing Law from Policy’ held at the Daily Star auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser noted that if maids were unavailable, housewives would need to manage all domestic tasks, highlighting the necessity for mutual sympathy and support among women. She also advocated for respect towards domestic workers and suggested reconsidering the term ‘maid’ for domestic helpers.
Farida Akhter pointed out the lack of rest facilities for domestic workers within the urban housing system, suggesting that future housing should include provisions for their relaxation. She highlighted that the entire family is affected when their maid is unwell, stressing that domestic workers deserve to live as worthy citizens.
The adviser also addressed the issue of domestic workers consuming substances like jarda and gul to suppress hunger, suggesting that timely meals could resolve this problem. The discussion was organized with the support of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, and jointly hosted by Sabujer Avijan Foundation, Oxfam, and the Daily Star.
Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman participated as a special guest, alongside other notable speakers such as Mahin Sultan, former member of the women reforms commission, Rezakuzzaman Raton, former member of the labour reforms commission, Sumaiya Islam, executive director of Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra, and Mahmuda Begum, executive director of Sabujer Avijan Foundation.