Labor Secretary Calls for Unified Efforts to Safeguard Rights of Domestic Workers

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. The secretary said, "We are working with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to sign three conventions, which will ensure the safety and decent working environment of workers if implemented. As a result, the government will be able to take effective steps to stop abuse of workers." Shafiquzzaman called for collective action to prevent abuse of domestic workers. In the conference, the speakers demanded minimum wages for domestic workers, legal recognition of working hours and holidays, stopping physical and mental abuse, inclusion in social security programs and enactment of special laws. 

The Labor Secretary assured that the demands raised at the event would be forwarded to the concerned authorities in the form of recommendations. He advised that if any domestic worker becomes a victim of abuse, they should contact the national emergency services at 999, 16357 and 10921. Shafiquzzaman said the Ministry of Labor and Employment is working to implement the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy-2015.  A minute of silence was observed at the conference in memory of the victims of plane crash at Milestone School and the July martyrs. Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Executive Director of Mass Literacy Campaign, presided over the event. 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, among others, participated in the discussion. Representatives from various ministries, domestic workers and representatives of various development partners were present at the event.