May Day and rights of house workers

May Day is just one day away. We observe this day with due fervour but we do not take any step to bring improvement in the life of the house workers who work in our homes day in, day out.

Thousands of house assistants -- especially women and children, working in this informal sector -- have no fixed salary or regular working hours, let alone a weekly holiday. There is no one to protect the rights of these workers and their rights are violated silently, regularly.

We must not forget that those who are working in our homes are human beings. We need to treat them respectfully as they are helping us in our day-to-day life. We only realise their value when they are absent from work and we have to do the same work ourselves. The home workers of our country have no trade union, so they are helpless to stand against any misconduct or injustice.

We hope there will be a policy in action so that house assistants also get recognition of their work and feel appreciated.

Afsana Afrin

Uttara, Dhaka