Of them, 16 were killed, 12 were raped, and 12 more suffered serious physical torture and abuse. And four domestic helps committed suicide. 

The findings emerged from the virtual discussion on “Domestic workers’ workplace conditions and legal protections in 2020”, organised by Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), Mass Literacy Campaign, Halotask, Nari Maitree, Red Orange and UCEP Bangladesh on Sunday.

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BILS made the conclusion based on the reports of daily newspapers.

The programme was arranged under Oxfam in Bangladesh and Global Affairs Canada-funded “Suniti” project on the rights, dignity and protection of domestic helps. 

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The programme heard that it was critical to start the registration of domestic workers at every police station and ward councillor’s office. The initiative would allow the administration and the local government to communicate with the government for supporting the workers during an emergency, the speakers said.

BILS Director and Domestic Workers’ Rights Network Bangladesh Member Secretary Najma Yasmin said the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy needs to be reviewed considering the inclusion of domestic helps in labour laws, fixing their work hours, and making arrangements for their right to organise, and take rest.

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Kazi Saifuddin Ahmed, labour adviser of the Bangladesh Employers Federation, said: “The Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy will not be useful for the workers if it cannot be turned into a law.”

Former additional secretary ABM Khorshed Alam said, “Full-time domestic workers are most frequently abused. And separate policies need to be floated for part-time and full-time workers.”

(Written by MK, Edited by MA,SSK)