Ratification of ILO convention to protect domestic workers demanded

Trade union leaders and civil society representatives urged the government to ratify ILO Convention-189 and enact law based on the existing policy on protection of domestic workers in the country.

They were speaking at a seminar on Wednesday on ‘Protection of domestic workers, ensuring dignity and prevention of violence: Present situation and tasks to be taken’, organised by Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Shuniti Prokolpo at the National Press Club in the city.

BILS Vice-chairperson Shirin Akhter MP presided over the programme while Domestic Workers Rights Network (DWRN) Acting Coordinator Abul Hossain was there as the moderator.

Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Labour and Employment Mujibul Haq was present as the chief guest at the event.

He said a large number of domestic workers are children. According to the law of Bangladesh, child labour is prohibited in the country.

“The people who are engaging children as domestic helpers should think what they are doing is right or wrong,” he said.

He also said although the country has introduced a policy for domestic workers, they are still being exploited in many ways.

Mr Haq urged all to be conscious to stop violence against domestic workers.

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