'Frame effective policy to ensure rights of domestic workers'

22 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The government should formulate an effective policy to ensure rights of the domestic workers and put an end to all forms of discrimination against them, speakers said at a view exchange meeting yesterday. They also urged the government to include all necessary provisions in the policy to ensure security of the domestic workers. The Ministry of Labour and Employment and Domestic Workers' Rights Network organised the meeting on 'Domestic workers' protection and welfare policy 2010' at the Biam auditorium in the city. At the meeting, Sultan Uddin Ahmed, assistant executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), presented a draft copy of the 'Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy-2010'. Democracy Watch Executive Director Taleya Rahman said domestic workers should be given one day off a week, be entitled to recreation leave and be allowed to make their entertainment. Deputy Director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service Trust (BLAST) Farida Yasmin stressed the need to make it mandatory for employers and domestic workers to sign a contract with job description. Prof Atiqur Rahman suggested encouraging domestic workers to maintain their personal hygiene to ensure good health of the family members. Dr Wazedul Islam, representative of Domestic Workers' Rights Network and general secretary of Trade Union Kendra, said social security should be ensured first for the domestic workers and then financial and health security. BILS programme officer Najma Yasmin emphasised the need to ensure protection of domestic workers from sexual exploitation and provide all kinds of legal and financial assistance, if anyone becomes victim. Acting secretary of the Labour and Employment Ministry Nurul Haque said the government officials will consider the recommendations and that the policy will be formulated soon. Deputy Secretary of the labour ministry Aminul Islam and workers' leader Abul Hossain also spoke.