State must take effective steps to address their plight
We are concerned about the continued deprivation of rights faced by domestic workers, with their profession remaining excluded from the labour law. While there does exist the Domestic Workers' Protection and Welfare Policy, 2015, it has largely gone unimplemented so far, resulting in widespread violations of their rights by employers. A recent event held at The Daily Star Centre brought out some harrowing stories of domestic workers that underscore the urgent need for intervention.
Reportedly, domestic workers endure daily humiliations and exploitations. They often work without set hours, suffer physical abuse for even minor mistakes, and are threatened with job loss if they fall ill. Worse yet, they are often denied holidays during major festivals. One domestic worker shared how she was denied clean drinking water and prohibited from sitting on the sofa she cleaned, while another spoke of being forced to continue working while pregnant. These stories reflect the widespread suffering of thousands of domestic workers in households across the country.
The situation is even worse for child domestic workers, who are particularly vulnerable to abuse by employers. Over the years, numerous reports have emerged detailing physical and sexual abuse of these children. A study by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies and Dnet found that domestic workers face various forms of abuse: four percent experience sexual abuse, 21 percent physical abuse, 67 percent mental abuse, and 61 percent verbal abuse. Alarmingly, 95 percent of these workers do not report any incidents of abuse, while nearly 99 percent are unaware of any protective policies.
We, therefore, urge the government to properly address the plight of the domestic workers, especially children. Experts have emphasised the need to include these professionals under the country's labour law, ensuring legal recognition and protection of their rights. Additionally, creating a register for domestic workers could help monitor and improve their working conditions. The Domestic Workers' Protection and Welfare Policy—which seeks to secure fair wages, reasonable working hours, and the right to health and education—must also be rigorously enforced. Finally, the media can play a significant role in highlighting the abuse faced by domestic workers and running campaigns to protect their rights.
