BILS and its network organised different events including rally, discussion meeting, human chain and public gathering aimed at observing International Women Day on March 8, 2017 in the capital and in different parts of the country.

Domestic Workers Rights Network (DWRN) formed a human chain with the participation of woman domestic workers in front of National Press Club in Dhaka . The event was followed by a discussion meeting at

National Press Club Auditorium. Speakers at the meeting said, there is no standard to fix the wage of domestic workers, while they are deprived from their right of taking rest, weekly vacation, sick leave, even maternity leave. As domestic workers did not get recognition in Bangladesh Labour Law 2006, therefore, recognised rights of the workers are not applicable for them, even government does not have any social protection activities for them. In this case, speakers emphasized to implement Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy-2015. Besides, they demanded protection of domestic workers and expected the conversion of the Policy into law for their recognition.

BILS Vice Chairman and Jatiya Sramik League President Alhaj Shukkur Mahamood chaired the meeting, while Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment Md. Israfil Alam, MP; BILS

Vice Chairman and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Md. Anwar Hossain, BILS Joint Secretary General Md. Zafrul Hasan and Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan, Jatiya Garhastha Nari Sramik Union Advisor Abul Hossain, Jatiya Mohila Sramik League President Shamsunnahar Bhuiyan, Karmojibi Nari Executive Director Rokeya Rafique Baby, Awaz Foundation Executive Director Nazma Akter, Oxfam representative Rokhsana Akter, BILS Executive Council Member Umma Hasan Jhalmal and DWRN Coordinator and BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed spoke on this occasion. Leaders of different National Trade Union Federations, representatives of different Human Rights organisations and a total of three hundred domestic workers from different parts of the city were present at the meeting.

A cheaque of Tk. 50,000 received from Sramik Kalyan Foundation was handed over to the mother of victim child domestic worker Jannat.

Later, leaders of BILS and network affiliated organizations participated in woman workers gathering organised by Social Protesting Committee at Central Shahid Minar.

In Chittagong, a colourful rally was organised at Central Shahid Minar at 3 pm by BILS/LO-FTF Project to observe International Women Day.