Trade union leaders have called for the inclusion of domestic workers in labour law to ensure their rights, dignity, and security. They placed this demand at a human chain and rally organized by BILS Securing Rights Project on March 8, 2022 at Shahbagh on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2022.

Speakers at the human chain said that incidents of torture, killings and human rights violations against domestic workers have increased alarmingly in recent years. They claimed that domestic workers should have fair rights and right to dignity as human beings. Therefore, they demanded the implementation of the ‘Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy, 2015’, through the protection and welfare of domestic workers, above all, with establishing their dignity, protecting from torture and violence, and ensuring fair wages, compensation, and decent working environment.

Acting Coordinator of Domestic Workers Rights Network Abul Hossain conducted the human chain, while among others, President of Bangladesh Labour Federation Shah Mohd Abu Zafar, General Secretary of Jatiya Sramik Jote Bangladesh Naimul Ahsan Jewel, Acting President of Jatiya Sramik Jote Md. Abdul Wahed, General Secretary of Jatiya Mahila Sramik League Kazi Rahima Akter Sathi, President of Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Federation Shamim Ara, Acting General Secretary of Bangladesh Mukta Sramik Federation Shahidullah Badal, BILS Director Nazma Yesmin, General Secretary of National Domestic Women Workers Union Morsheda Akter Nahar and others spoke on the occasion. Leaders of the BILS affiliated national trade union federations, DWRN, civil society, and project partners were present at the event. During the event, a signature campaign was conducted by CAMPE demanding the rights and dignity of domestic workers.

In addition, on the occasion of Women’s Day, the project has organized van rallies in different areas of Dhaka city at the initiative of Nari Maitri, a discussion meeting in Mirpur at the initiative of USEP Bangladesh, a discussion meeting with the employers of domestic workers at the initiative of Hellotask and a social media campaign at the initiative of Red Orange.