Recognition of domestic helps as social entity underscored

Speakers on Sunday underscored the need for recognition of the country's domestic workers as a social entity through ensuring all kinds of human rights for them.   

They also said presently domestic helps are being considered only as an economic entity. People of all strata have to work together to make sure their rights are upheld.

They said this at a roundtable discussion on 'Domestic Workers in Bangladesh: Tracing the policy process' jointly organised by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and Domestic Workers Rights Network (DWRN) in the city.

RMMRU founding chair Tasneem Siddiqui demanded of the government to formalise the Domestic workers policy 2010 by May this year.

She also emphasised the need for ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 189 to help ensure protection of domestic workers.

Executive director of Jatiya Mohila Ainjibi Samity Salma Ali chaired the programme. She also emphasised approval of the domestic workers policy immediately.

She said some 99 per cent of victim domestic workers are going to mutual understanding as employers intimidate and sometimes offer money.

Israfil Alam, member of the standing committee on the ministry of labour and employment and Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, coordinator of DWRN, among others, were present at the programme.

    arafat_ara@hotmail.com