Govt plans to classify domestic work as hazardous occupation

The government plans to include domestic work in the list of hazardous occupations under the revised labour rules and formulate a national action plan to eliminate child domestic labour while ensuring safer working conditions for domestic workers.

The announcement was made by Md Abdus Samad Al Azad, director general of the Department of Labour, at a programme titled "Research Findings Sharing on Domestic Workers' Inclusion in Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment), 2026: What's Next?" held in the capital's Gulshan on Sunday.

The event was chaired by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) and former chairman of the Labour Reform Commission.

The study, commissioned by Oxfam in Bangladesh and conducted by Adhuna Bangladesh Limited, was presented by Rawshan Akter Urmi, gender justice and social inclusion specialist at Oxfam in Bangladesh.

According to the study, the benefits of the amended Labour Act 2026 are unlikely to be realised unless updated rules are formulated in line with the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy 2015.

The study recommends establishing employer liability, ensuring domestic workers' right to form trade unions, strengthening legal and social protection, providing written employment contracts, and introducing wage payment systems through internet banking, mobile financial services or receipts.

Speaking at the event, Mr Al Azad said domestic work should be included in the hazardous occupation list to prevent children from entering the profession.

He said the government intends to develop a national action plan to eliminate the employment of children under the age of 14 in domestic work.

Achieving this goal will require coordinated efforts among several ministries and government agencies, he added.

Stephanie St-Laurent Brassard, second secretary (Development and Gender Equality) at the High Commission of Canada in Bangladesh, said implementing the study's recommendations is essential to improving the living standards and dignity of domestic workers.

Syeda Munira Sultana, national project coordinator of the International Labour Organization (ILO), stressed the need for more effective initiatives to improve domestic workers' skills and eliminate child labour.

Enhancing workers' skills would help increase their earnings and improve their overall welfare, she added.

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