Published: 11:36 PM, 23 September 2026
Rights recognized, but domestic workers still await social change
Bangladesh has made important legal and policy progress in recognising domestic workers, but deep-rooted social attitudes continue to stand in the way of meaningful change, speakers said at a programme on Wednesday.
They identified fair wages and working hours, protection from violence and harassment, access to social protection, and recognition of domestic work as dignified labour as major concerns.
The speakers said legal reform must be accompanied by changes in the attitudes of families, employers and society if domestic workers are to enjoy their rights in everyday life.
The day-long national event, titled "Hands That Hold Homes: Rights, Resilience and the Future of Domestic Workers," was organised by Oxfam in Bangladesh.
The event marked seven years of the Securing Rights for Women Domestic Workers in Bangladesh (SUNITI) project, implemented from 2019 to 2026 by Oxfam in Bangladesh and its partners with support from Global Affairs Canada.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Md. HumayunKabir said it is not possible for the government alone to fully ensure the rights of workers in any sector, including domestic workers.
"It is not possible for the government alone to go from house to house and monitor whether the rights of child workers are being ensured. Everyone in society needs to come forward in this regard," he said.
He said low wages, long working hours, inadequate social protection, workplace harassment and limited awareness of rights remain major challenges for domestic workers.
Kabir said the government has developed short-, medium- and long-term plans to implement the recommendations of the Labour Reform Commission, while work to update the Labour Rules in line with the amended labour law has progressed significantly.
He also stressed that the government alone cannot monitor conditions in every household and that broader social responsibility is essential.
Rasheda K Chowdhury, former Adviser to the caretaker government of Bangladesh, said legal and policy changes would not be enough without a change in mindset.
"We may change many things, but unless we change our mindset, meaningful change will not happen. Why can I not recognise the domestic worker in my home as a co-worker?" she said.
She also called for stronger childcare facilities for working mothers and greater access to social protection for domestic workers.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, former Chairman of the Labour Reform Commission and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, said recognition of domestic workers in the amended Labour Act is an important step, but remains partial.
He described the organisation and leadership of domestic workers as one of SUNITI's most important achievements and called for these structures to be strengthened further.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed said, "We have not yet fully secured any of the rights of women domestic workers. Even the law we obtained in 2026 provides only partial recognition. So, just as we have come a long way, there is still a long journey ahead."
Jane Palmer, Acting Head of Cooperation at Global Affairs Canada, said SUNITI had contributed to strengthening domestic workers' skills, confidence and ability to organise collectively, and expressed hope that the project's learning would continue to contribute to Bangladesh's development.
NeeranRamjuthan, Programme Manager at ILO Bangladesh, said Bangladesh has created an important foundation for bringing domestic workers from largely invisible and informal employment towards stronger legal protection.
Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said attitudes towards domestic workers have yet to change sufficiently and stressed the need to prevent children from entering domestic work.
Anil Pant, Interim Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, said legal implementation must go hand in hand with social recognition, respect and dignity for domestic workers.
The opening session also featured remarks from Zakia Sultana, President of the Domestic Workers National Forum-Bangladesh, while Mahmuda Sultana, Programme Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, presented the project's journey, achievements, learning and future priorities.
A key moment of the event was the launch of the project's flagship publication, bringing together seven years of evidence, policy analysis, learning and 10 stories from the lives of women domestic workers.
In the second session, PushpitaSaha of Oxfam Canada presented findings from the project's final evaluation, moderated by Tarek Aziz of Oxfam in Bangladesh.
The evaluation found that awareness of domestic workers' rights increased from 12 percent to 74 percent, wage-negotiation capacity from 23 percent to 61 percent, and written employment arrangements from 8 percent to 28 percent.
The afternoon dialogue, titled "From Recognition to a Secure Future: Rights, Worker Leadership, Decent Work and Partnerships," focused on implementation of the amended labour law, social protection, grievance and remedy systems, skills recognition, employer accountability and stronger worker leadership.
The final session, "Voices of Resilience," brought together stories, cultural expression, learning and commitments for the future.
The event was moderated by Md. Sariful Islam, Head of Influencing, Communications, Advocacy and Media at Oxfam in Bangladesh.
