Safety of migrant domestic helps in focus

Experts suggested that Bangladesh ratify the ILO convention 189 to ensure safeguards for the migrant domestic workers, now that there are big deals on the cards for housekeeping jobs in the Middle East.
They also called for making public the recent agreement with Saudi Arabia with a view to making transparent the terms and conditions over protection of the domestic helps.
A number of discussants at a meeting raised some demands, including setting up shelter homes for domestic helps in all Bangladesh missions abroad.
They were speaking at a seminar on 'Protection of the rights of migrant domestic workers: importance of ratification of ILO Convention 189'.
The function was organised by WARBE Development Foundation in cooperation with AWO International in the city.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 189 offers specific protections to domestic workers. It was introduced in 2011, in the wake of womenfolk laying their stake on the overseas job market in growing numbers.  
Nisha, chief technical adviser of the ILO, said through ratification of the convention 189 worker-sending countries will get opportunities to go for well negotiation with the receiving countries about workers' security measures, salary and other terms and conditions.
She also said different bodies like government, rights groups will have to be accountable to ensure protection of female migrant workers.
The ILO adviser, however, suggested that the female workers should save at least 50 per cent of their earnings for their own development.
"They can use this money to develop their professional skills, which will help for better future."
Maximum of female migrants spend up their wages as family expenditures, she noted.
Sultan Ahmed, assistant executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), also stressed ratification of the ILO convention.
He also said the government should give importance on sending skilled workers abroad.        
Parliament member Nurjahan Begum Mukta emphasised increasing duration of orientation course before sending females as they have no experience about foreign laws and languages.
She also assured migrant workers of putting forward their demands to the authorities concerned for meeting those to ensure job security and satisfaction.  
Ms Mukta also said before sending domestic helps government would ensure all types of security.
WARBE chairman Saiful Islam demanded making public the deal with Saudi Arabia so that people get informed about safety measures and other benefits for the domestic workers.
Wajedul Islam Khan, secretary-general of Trade Union Centre, said with proper negotiation manpower-exporting countries can be benefitted many ways.
Bangladesh should go for it as it is possible to gain many things from employers like in others countries, he added.
Speakers also demanded enacting 'The Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Act 2010' immediately.
They expressed their hope it would be approved before the May Day.
Faruque Ahmed, secretary-general, and Jasiya Khatoon, director of WARBE, were among others present at the programme.
    arafat_ara@hotmail.com