Call for amending Labour Law to ensure domestic workers' rights
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Speakers at a dialogue in the city Monday stressed the need for ensuring the rights of domestic workers by amending the Labour Law 2006.
The speakers made the remarks at a dialogue organised by the Domestic Workers Rights Network-Bangladesh (DWRN), a voluntary organisation, on 'Ensuring Domestic Workers Rights: Stand Now,' reports UNB.
The speakers also observed that the domestic workers were often being subjected to tortures in many ways in society by their employers, as there was no comprehensive law for protecting them from repression and ensuring their rights.
Chaired by former Adviser to caretaker government and noted human rights activist Advocate Sultana Kamal, the function was addressed, among others, by Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment Israfil Alam MP, Labour and Employment Ministry Deputy Secretary Md Aminul Islam, NCCWE Chairman Abdul Matin Master and President of Karmajibi Nari Shirin Akhter.
Taking part in the dialogue, Advocate Sultana Kamal said although the domestic workers are neglected and oppressed in society in many ways nobody speaks up to ensure their rights.
Referring to untold sufferings of the domestic workers, she said about 80 per cent of domestic workers are women and most of them are children.
"The childhood period is robbed of from their lives, as they have to work like adult workers," she pointed out.
Stressing the need for formulation of a policy to protect the domestic workers' rights, Sultana Kamal said, "We hope the government will enact a law in line with our suggestions to ensure the rights of the domestic workers."
Lawmaker Alam said the gap between the rich and the poor is widening day by day. "We'll never ensure their rights if we cannot eradicate poverty from society," he said.
The lawmaker also emphasised the need for amending the Labour Law 2006 to make a policy relating to the domestic workers.
He said the government is going to announce a code of conduct soon for ensuring the rights of child labourers and domestic workers.
Mr Islam said a proper and strong monitoring is needed for evaluating the condition of domestic workers.
He also called upon all to come forward for creating awareness of the rights of the ever-neglected section of the society.
Later, a set of recommendations, including amendment to the Labour Law 2006 and formulation of trade union, was placed at the dialogue.
The speakers made the remarks at a dialogue organised by the Domestic Workers Rights Network-Bangladesh (DWRN), a voluntary organisation, on 'Ensuring Domestic Workers Rights: Stand Now,' reports UNB.
The speakers also observed that the domestic workers were often being subjected to tortures in many ways in society by their employers, as there was no comprehensive law for protecting them from repression and ensuring their rights.
Chaired by former Adviser to caretaker government and noted human rights activist Advocate Sultana Kamal, the function was addressed, among others, by Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment Israfil Alam MP, Labour and Employment Ministry Deputy Secretary Md Aminul Islam, NCCWE Chairman Abdul Matin Master and President of Karmajibi Nari Shirin Akhter.
Taking part in the dialogue, Advocate Sultana Kamal said although the domestic workers are neglected and oppressed in society in many ways nobody speaks up to ensure their rights.
Referring to untold sufferings of the domestic workers, she said about 80 per cent of domestic workers are women and most of them are children.
"The childhood period is robbed of from their lives, as they have to work like adult workers," she pointed out.
Stressing the need for formulation of a policy to protect the domestic workers' rights, Sultana Kamal said, "We hope the government will enact a law in line with our suggestions to ensure the rights of the domestic workers."
Lawmaker Alam said the gap between the rich and the poor is widening day by day. "We'll never ensure their rights if we cannot eradicate poverty from society," he said.
The lawmaker also emphasised the need for amending the Labour Law 2006 to make a policy relating to the domestic workers.
He said the government is going to announce a code of conduct soon for ensuring the rights of child labourers and domestic workers.
Mr Islam said a proper and strong monitoring is needed for evaluating the condition of domestic workers.
He also called upon all to come forward for creating awareness of the rights of the ever-neglected section of the society.
Later, a set of recommendations, including amendment to the Labour Law 2006 and formulation of trade union, was placed at the dialogue.