Domestic workers in Bangladesh continue to face significant gaps in legal protection despite their inclusion in the Bangladesh Labour Act, according to a new study released by Oxfam in Bangladesh. The study found that key issues such as wages, working hours, leave, workplace safety, compensation, and access to justice remain inadequately addressed in practice.
The findings were presented at an event in Dhaka on June 21 during the release of the study, Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment), 2026: Inclusion of Domestic Workers and Future Actions. Conducted by Oxfam in Bangladesh through Adhuna Bangladesh Limited, the research examined the implications of the 2026 labour law amendments and the continuing challenges faced by domestic workers, most of whom are women working in the informal economy.
According to the study, although the amended labour law introduces limited protections relating to compensation, trade union formation, and dispute resolution, effective implementation will require separate regulations based on the 2015 Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy. Researchers noted that most domestic workers are employed through verbal agreements, making it difficult to prove employment relationships, access legal remedies, or claim compensation in cases of abuse, injury, or wage disputes.
The study recommends introducing written employment records, registration systems, employment letters, and wage payments through banking services, mobile financial platforms, or documented receipts. It also calls for clearer employer accountability, access to legal assistance, worker-friendly dispute resolution mechanisms, and the right of domestic workers to organize collectively.
Speakers at the event emphasized the need to eliminate child domestic labour, strengthen protections for women workers, improve skills training, and ensure effective implementation of existing policies. They argued that legal recognition alone is insufficient without enforceable regulations, institutional accountability, and accessible mechanisms through which domestic workers can claim and exercise their rights