At the Domestic Workers Conference 2025 held in Dhaka on Monday, domestic workers from across the country called for their inclusion under the national labor law. They demanded a separate salary structure, legal protections, access to healthcare, rehabilitation services, and free education for their children, asserting that true democracy in Bangladesh requires the recognition of all workers, including those in informal and feminized labor sectors.
Held at the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation conference room in Agargaon, the event began with the national anthem. It was attended by high-level government officials, civil society actors, and labor organizers. Domestic workers Firoza Begum and Ruma Akhter formally presented a 14-point demand list, including the right to appointment letters, defined working hours, leave, and protection from unjust termination. During the open discussion, women from across the country shared personal experiences of exploitation, insecurity, and lack of recognition.
Government and civil society representatives acknowledged the legitimacy of the demands. AHM Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, called all 14 demands “reasonable” and affirmed that Bangladesh is signing new agreements with the ILO to ensure worker safety and dignity. Speakers like Shireen Parveen Haq and Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed highlighted the urgent need for structural reforms, including inter-ministerial coordination and legal pathways for domestic workers to organize. The event was jointly organized by the Mass Literacy Campaign, Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra, and other grassroots organizations, with the support of Oxfam Bangladesh.
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