BILS SEMINAR: Call to bring domestic workers under labour law

Discussants at a national seminar on Monday called for bringing domestic workers under the coverage of Bangladesh's labour law in recognition to their rights and implementation of recommendations made by the Labour Law Reform Commission.

Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) organised the seminar, titled "Recognition and Rights of Domestic Workers: Assessing Care Work and Workers' Rights in Bangladesh," at a city hotel to mark the International Domestic Workers Day 2025.

Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director of BILS and Chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, stressed the urgency of legally recognising domestic workers and ensuring their basic rights.

Badal Khan, General Secretary of Bangladesher Jatio Sromik Jote and Abul Kalam Azad of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre among others, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Syaduzzaman Mithu Senior Programme Officer at BILS, presented the current state of domestic workers' their legal rights and introduced the newly formed Care Workers Rights Protection Forum.

Researcher and Jagannath University Associate Professor Mostafiz Ahmed shared the findings of a BILS-ILO study, which revealed precarious and often exploitative conditions of domestic workers in the country.

Speakers observed that despite reduced reports of abuse in recent years, domestic workers continue to face mental abuse, delayed or deducted wages, and arbitrary dismissal--particularly when they fall ill or remain absent from works.

Mentioning that the country's existing policies lack legal enforceability, speakers called for framing a dedicated law for domestic workers.

National trade unions collectively urged the government to immediately implement the Labour Reform Commission's recommendations to ensure dignity and justice for all domestic workers.

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