Bangladesh holds the potential to create around 7.0 million new jobs by 2035 in care-giving services while the global demand may rise over 300 million, according to ILO findings.
Requisite investments in care policies like childcare and long-term care and proper trainings can help realise the chances, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) shows in a projection-at a time when Bangladesh needs huge jobs for various segments of unemployed population.
Bangladesh is experiencing rising demand for care services, driven by industrialization, demography, climate change, and migration and this demand is creating significant potential for job creation in the care sector.
The report says formally recognizing caregivers as legitimate workers through a systematic approach is crucial for empowering them to organize, engage in labour-rights discussions and advocate for improved working conditions.
The study has identified that the care sector is often characterized by gender disparities, with women disproportionately represented in low-paid and insecure roles, and addressing these inequalities is vital for creating a more equitable workforce.
Jagannath University associate professor Mostafiz Ahmed disclosed the findings of the study titled 'Decent Work Status of the Care Workers: A Rapid Assessment' at an event held Tuesday in a city hotel.
According to the study, temporary employment is the most common form in the country's caregiving sector, constituting 48.6 per cent of positions, while permanent employment follows, making up 38.2 per cent.
The survey was conducted in Dhaka and Chattogram, covering a sample size of 212 participants across various occupations, including domestic work, nursing, healthcare, childcare and eldercare.
The survey reveals that 75 per cent of workers were required to work longer hours without proper overtime provisions.
Among those who do receive overtime pay, about 63.6 per cent work more than two extra hours, while 36.4 per cent are not compensated at the required twice the normal rate for overtime.
Approximately 39.6 per cent of the workers reported experiencing job expulsion without prior notice, with domestic workers 45 per cent and healthcare workers 52 per cent particularly vulnerable to this issue.
In instances of job expulsions, 36 per cent of workers never receive their entitled benefits, while 33.3 per cent receive them only sometimes, it has found.
The survey also has identified that workers encountered significant risk in the workplace, including exposure to diseases and viruses 57.1 per cent, physical hazards 30.1per cent and potential injuries like burns 17.3 per cent.
Only 39.2 per cent of employers provide all workers with information about occupational risks, while 22 per cent don't, and 36.3 per cent of workers are uncertain.
Personal Protective Equipment was provided to all workers by 50.9 per cent of employers, whereas 27.4 per cent do not offer PPE, and 17 per cent unaware of its availability, the report reveals.
Speaking there, ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen said the International Labour Organisation estimates show that there is an upward trend in the need for skilled care workers, and by 2035, there can be over 300 million jobs in the care sector globally.
"For Bangladesh, the estimates show that 7.0 million additional jobs can be created in childcare and long-term care too. And we all have a role in ensuring those jobs are decent jobs for the care workers," he added.
However, care work across the world, and similarly for Bangladesh, remains characterized by a void of benefits and protections, low wages or non-compensation, and exposure to physical, mental and, in some cases, sexual harm.
Additionally, in the context of Bangladesh, the care sector has yet to be formally regulated for monitoring and inspection of the service quality and working conditions, he said, stressing recognizing, reducing and redistributing unpaid care, rewarding care workers by providing decent working conditions and fair remuneration, and ensuring representation of care workers in all decision-making processes so their voices are heard and taken into account, and their concerns are addressed.
The ILO in its latest statistical brief also said in Bangladesh, the share of women outside the labour force due to care responsibilities dropped from 81 per cent in 2017 to 68 per cent in 2022. Speaking at the event, Kohinur Akter, a childcare-service provider, demanded social recognition, saying that people most of the time do not understand or have little knowledge of their service.
Mohammad Mainuddin, an elderly caregiver, alleged that he is not allowed any monthly leave and have to provide 24-hour service as he serves the elderly.
He demands identity card, lawful leave and good behaviours from the employers.
Josna Akter, a domestic worker, alleged that they face misbehavior if they take leave for sickness or other reasons while in many cases they are allegedly beaten.
They also demanded fair wages, festival bonus, reducing the work hours and social recognition and acceptance. Speakers also called for professionalism by the service providers, code of conduct for both caregivers and receivers.
Razekuzzaman Ratan, assistant general secretary of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), told the meet that there are huge demands for care works on the global market as in the West the number of elderly people is growing and they need care service.
Citing example of Japan, he said thousands of people there died lonely.. To grab the global market, he suggested developing a system to train the caregivers and encourage more by changing the perception of people in this regard.
"As care needs continue to expand and diversify, the care economy has enormous potential for employment generation in the coming years both locally and internationally," said one of the speakers.
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