Robust laws, interventions key to protect informal sector workers: Oxfam

Bangladesh's informal sector, which employs more than 85 per cent of the country's labour force, remains largely excluded from formal labour laws, leaving millions vulnerable to unsafe conditions, exploitation, and economic insecurity.

Domestic workers, home-based garment workers, tea plantation workers, and fisherfolk are among the most marginalised, facing significant challenges such as a lack of fair wages, social protections, and basic workplace rights.

To address these challenges, Oxfam and its partners emphasised the need for Bangladesh to ratify key international conventions, including ILO Conventions C188, C189, and C190 to extend legal protections to informal workers.

The recommendations also included setting minimum wage standards, ensuring access to social safety nets such as health insurance and pension schemes, and strengthening enforcement mechanisms for workplace safety and rights monitoring.

Oxfam presented these insights and recommendations during a meeting on Sunday with the Labor Reform Commission with a paper.

The Commission convened this meeting at Srom Bhaban, bringing together representatives from the government, Oxfam, NGOs, development partners, media, and civil society organizations.

Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Head of the Labour Reform Commission, said, "Protecting informal workers is not just an economic issue-it is a matter of justice. Recognizing their contributions ensures dignity for all."

Mahfuzul Haque, former secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said, "Labour rights are essential for sustainable development. We must bridge the gap between policy and practice to protect our most vulnerable workers."

Salama Akter, a representative from the domestic workers' community, said, "We can't live a good life as we don't get even a minimum salary to manage daily expenses and recognition. We are not included in the labour law, as a result, we are out of all forms of formal support."

She also recommended the inclusion of domestic workers in the law.

Presenting the paper, Mehzabin Ahmed, Head of Gender Justice & Social Inclusion at Oxfam in Bangladesh, said, "The invisible hands driving our economy deserve to be seen, valued, and protected. Labour reforms must address the unique vulnerabilities of marginalized workers."

Several key actions were also recommended during the meeting.

The meeting concluded with a strong call to action for government bodies, employers, and civil society to collaborate in creating a future where all workers are empowered, valued, and protected.