Trade union leaders and civil society representatives on Tuesday demanded ensuring the rights of the home helps by legally recognising the International Labour Organization Convention 189.
They made the remark at a rally organised by the Domestic Workers' Rights Network (DWRN) in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka marking the World Day for Decent Work-2022.
The speakers also expressed concerns regarding recent incidents of torture, killing, and human rights violation home helps are facing in the country.
According to a survey of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS)-2022 based on newspapers, at least 16 home helps were tortured and killed from January to June this year in the country.
While speaking at the rally, DWRN Acting Coordinator Abul Hossain said the incidents are frequently happening for being unable to implement the Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy 2015.
Meanwhile, he highlighted the importance of bringing the culprits under exemplary punishment for their heinous works, then, no one will dare to do so out of fear.
Hossain also demanded the inclusion of house helps in labour laws.
Joint Coordinator of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad Ahsan Habib Bulbul, General Secretary of Bangladesh Sramik Federation AAM Faiz Hossain, DWRN member secretary and BILS Director Najma Yesmin, Center Office Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Shahida Parveen Shikha, National Domestic Women Workers’ Union General Secretary Murshida Akhtar Nahar also were present there.
