Nat’l Forum of Domestic Workers Demand Inclusion in Labor Law

The ‘National Forum of Domestic Workers’ has inaugurated at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) with the participation of 200 domestic workers demanding inclusion in labor laws and recognition as ‘Labor’. The event organized by Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), with the support of Oxfam in Bangladesh.

National Forum of Domestic Workers.

The forum aims to ensure the rights of domestic workers at local and national levels, implement the Protection and Welfare Policy for Domestic Workers 2015, and advocate for the recognition of domestic workers as "Labor" within labor laws. Under the 'Suniti' project, this non-political forum will be independently run by domestic workers. Comprising 200 members and a committee of 21, the forum will work with 16,000 domestic workers in Dhaka and gradually expand its activities nationwide.

Jakia Sultana, president of the forum and a domestic worker, stated, “Our main demand is to include all domestic workers in the labor law and recognize us as labor. Without this recognition, we are deprived of opportunities, including the ability to form trade unions. Additionally, there is no accurate data on how many women are employed as domestic workers in the country. The National Forum of Domestic Workers will advocate for these demands and work to protect the rights of all domestic workers.”

Mahmud Sultana, programme director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, emphasized the need for protection and recognition of domestic workers. She said, “Through this forum, we are engaging with 16,000 domestic workers who will advocate for their rights. We believe this success will inspire other informal sector workers, including deprived tea garden workers and women fishermen.”

The event highlighted various issues faced by domestic workers in Bangladesh, where over 25 million people work as domestic workers, 90% of whom are women. Despite their significant contribution to the national economy, they are not recognized as 'workers' under the Bangladesh Labor Act, resulting in a lack of fixed working hours, holidays, and fair wages. According to an Oxfam study in 2022, about 93% of women domestic workers reported experiencing harassment at their workplaces, with 67% suffering emotional abuse, 61% verbal abuse, and 21% physical abuse.

Including hundreds of Domestic Workers, DSK Executive Director Dr. Dibalok Singha; Abul Hossain, Coordinator of the Domestic Workers Rights Network; Roksana Sultana, Executive Director of Breaking the Silence; Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; along with representatives from various organizations and media personnel took part.

Since 2020, Oxfam in Bangladesh, DSK, Karmojibi Nari, and other partner organizations have been collaborating through the Suniti project to advocate for the inclusion of domestic workers in the country’s labor law. The project aims to enhance the overall quality of life for approximately 18,000 women domestic workers by improving their professional and life skills, ultimately increasing their capabilities in the workforce.