Bangladesh:
Domestic workers fight for recognition

On November 4 domestic workers from different parts of the Bangladesh 
capital Dhaka, together with some from outside the capital, rallied in the 
centre of the city. Organised by the Domestic Workers' Association of 
Bangladesh, the rally heard speeches from leaders of the organisation and 
then marched to the Labour Ministry.

At 4.30pm police blocked the marchers from continuing, but had to allow a 
delegation of three through to submit a memorandum to the Labour Ministry. 
The memorandum contained nine demands:

1. Recognition of domestic workers as workers.
2. Provision of legal rights and facilities for domestics.
3. Proper contracts and identity cards for domestics.
4. Setting of a minimum wage for domestics and a National minimum wage for 
all private sector workers.
5. Legal action against the killing, rape, burning and torture of domestic 
workers.
6. All necessary steps to be taken to stop the kidnapping and smuggling of 
women including domestic workers.
7. Provision of health care and medical facilities for domestic workers.
8. Education for child domestic workers and for the children of adult 
domestic workers.
9. Provision of public housing for domestic workers and other low income 
workers.

In common with their counterparts in many countries, especially in Asia and 
the Middle East, domestic workers in Bangladesh are classified as servants 
and treated as chattels. They have no rights as workers and are frequently 
subject to sexual abuse, beatings and other violent punishment from their 
employer.

At the rally, the Domestic Workers' Association announced a program of 
action beginning with a national Protest Day on November 16 and a National 
Conference in Dhaka in December, followed by a further Memorandum to be 
delivered in January 2000 to the Law Ministry, Home Ministry, Women & 
Children Ministry and Labour Ministry.

If no satisfactory government action results, then a domestic workers Sit-
In-Strike is scheduled for Feb 2000.