Ratification of ILO convention on domestic workers demanded

Labour leaders and labour rights activists on Monday demanded immediate ratification of the International Labour Organisation's Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, amendment to the Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 in line with the convention, and immediate approval of the draft Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy 2010.

Inhuman treatment and torture of domestic workers will continue if new laws are not enacted to safeguard their rights and interests, they told a press conference organised by Domestic Workers Rights Network, an association of trade unions and labour rights bodies, at the National Press Club.

Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra general secretary Wazedul Islam Khan in a paper presented at the conference pointed out that the facilities received by workers at the moment depended on the whim of their employers.

Facilities are given to domestic workers on a charitable basis and mostly depend on employers' whim but things like access to education and medical facilities are fundamental rights that cannot be established if laws are not enacted, Wazedul said.

Jatiya Sramik Jote president Abdul Kader Howladar said, according to the existing labour law, employers in both formal and informal sectors should provide appointment letters to employees, which make the former liable to ensure that workers received all necessary facilities.

'Unfortunately, in our country we have laws that are not implemented,' Kader added.

Several labour leaders also demanded ensuring access of workers to education including vocational training, their right of getting day-offs and recreation time, formation of a wage board, particularly for domestic workers, establishment of a separate government agency to deal solely with domestic worker-related cases, and conducting a survey of domestic workers.

DWRN coordinator Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh labour Federation general secretary Abdul Quader Hawlader, adviser to Bangladesh Women Workers' Union Abul Hossain, Nagorik Sangahti president ASM Atiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal general secretary Zafrul Hassan, Jatiya Sramik League general secretary Roy Ramesh Chandra, and Karmajibi Nari executive director Rokeya Rafique, among others, were present at the conference. 

Source : New Age