83.33 pc domestic workers victims to scolding: study
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Kamrun Nahar
In Bangladesh 83.33 per cent domestic workers are victims to scolding while 67.67 per cent suffer from frustration, said a study report. The study also showed 66.67 per cent domestic workers are deprived of the opportunity of basic education and 63.33 per cent work beyond their capacity. The study conducted jointly by Dhaka University and Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) was presented at a recent two-day seminar on 'Domestic Workers' Rights and Present Status: Role of Trade Unions and Human Rights Organisations' at the latter's office in the city. The study showed there are as much as 0.331 million (3,31,000) domestic workers aged above 15 years (Labour Force Survey 2006) and 0.420 million (4,20,000) aged between 06 and 17 years (ILO-UNICEF Baseline Survey 2007) in the country while 0.147 million (1,47,000) aged between 06 and 17 work as domestic workers in the city corporation areas (ILO-UNICEF Baseline Survey 2007). Among them, 33.33 per cent sleep in kitchen, 20.67 per cent on floor of bedroom, 20 per cent in drawing room, 16.67 per cent at verandah, 6.67 per cent have separate room and 3.33 per cent sleep in store room. Of the total number of domestic workers, 46.67 per cent are victims of physical torture, 46.67 per cent get threat of losing job, 16.67 per cent are victims of sexual abuse, 53.33 per cent are deprived of recreation opportunity and 40 per cent suffer from insecurity. The study report showed domestic workers work on an average 10.73 hours a day. Of the total number of workers, the highest 46.67 per cent work 11-12 hours, 16.67 per cent work 15-16 hours, 13.67 per cent 9-10 hours, 6.67 per cent 17-18 hours and 6.67 per cent 6-8 hours a day. The incidence of torturing and abuse of domestic workers is increasing in the country. At least 37 domestic workers were killed in 2009 while the figure became 56 in 2010. Speakers at the seminar said there are more than two million domestic workers in the country but they are not protected under the Labour Act-2006; even no option of inspection is available for them. They said torture on domestic workers is increasing day-by-day as they are not included in trade unions.
In Bangladesh 83.33 per cent domestic workers are victims to scolding while 67.67 per cent suffer from frustration, said a study report. The study also showed 66.67 per cent domestic workers are deprived of the opportunity of basic education and 63.33 per cent work beyond their capacity. The study conducted jointly by Dhaka University and Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) was presented at a recent two-day seminar on 'Domestic Workers' Rights and Present Status: Role of Trade Unions and Human Rights Organisations' at the latter's office in the city. The study showed there are as much as 0.331 million (3,31,000) domestic workers aged above 15 years (Labour Force Survey 2006) and 0.420 million (4,20,000) aged between 06 and 17 years (ILO-UNICEF Baseline Survey 2007) in the country while 0.147 million (1,47,000) aged between 06 and 17 work as domestic workers in the city corporation areas (ILO-UNICEF Baseline Survey 2007). Among them, 33.33 per cent sleep in kitchen, 20.67 per cent on floor of bedroom, 20 per cent in drawing room, 16.67 per cent at verandah, 6.67 per cent have separate room and 3.33 per cent sleep in store room. Of the total number of domestic workers, 46.67 per cent are victims of physical torture, 46.67 per cent get threat of losing job, 16.67 per cent are victims of sexual abuse, 53.33 per cent are deprived of recreation opportunity and 40 per cent suffer from insecurity. The study report showed domestic workers work on an average 10.73 hours a day. Of the total number of workers, the highest 46.67 per cent work 11-12 hours, 16.67 per cent work 15-16 hours, 13.67 per cent 9-10 hours, 6.67 per cent 17-18 hours and 6.67 per cent 6-8 hours a day. The incidence of torturing and abuse of domestic workers is increasing in the country. At least 37 domestic workers were killed in 2009 while the figure became 56 in 2010. Speakers at the seminar said there are more than two million domestic workers in the country but they are not protected under the Labour Act-2006; even no option of inspection is available for them. They said torture on domestic workers is increasing day-by-day as they are not included in trade unions.