A significant number of households in metropolitan areas depend on domestic help to reduce their workload.
According to an International Labour Organization (ILO) study, there are approximately 2 million domestic workers in Bangladesh. However, the actual number could be much higher due to the undocumented nature of this work.
Experts say that domestic work remains an unrecognized profession in Bangladesh, leaving household workers vulnerable to various challenges and exploitation.
To address these issues, several organizations have collaborated on the “Securing Rights of Women Domestic Workers in Bangladesh (Suniti)” project. This initiative aims to improve the condition of domestic workers through training and advocacy. The project is supported by Oxfam in Bangladesh, UCEP Bangladesh, Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), and Karmojibi Nari.
This year, the Suniti project aims to train 16,000 domestic workers in Dhaka.
Voices from the ground
Soniya, a domestic worker receiving training at the Mohammadpur Hub, shared her thoughts: “I feel like I need to speak of my profession out loud for its recognition.”
She added that she hopes to gain the confidence to request a weekly holiday from her employers.
Afrin Akhtar, Project Manager of the Suniti Project at Dushtha Shasthya Kendra, explained: “We are trying to create awareness among domestic workers. Many of them don’t know how to navigate specific situations.”
Afrin believes that formally recognising domestic work as a profession and including domestic workers in the ambit of labour laws can significantly reduce the risks of exploitation and abuse.
Skills for empowerment
The training under the Suniti project goes beyond basic awareness. It equips domestic workers with soft skills, professional knowledge and the ability to use household appliances safely.
Md Shidur Rahman, centre manager of UCEP’s Domestic Worker Laboratory in Mohammadpur, noted: “Employers are more likely to pay higher salaries for trained domestic workers.”
Sumaiya, another trainee, shared her experience: “I’ve seen these appliances in households before, but the owners wouldn’t let me use them, fearing I might break them. Now, I am confident that I can handle them properly.”
The training also includes communication skills. Md Hashmot Ali, an instructor, said: “Besides operating appliances, we also teach workers how to communicate effectively. The modules even include recipes for both basic meals and special dishes.”
Need for legal protection
Tarek Aziz, Programme Coordinator of the Suniti Project at Oxfam, emphasised the importance of legal recognition for domestic workers:
“If they are brought under labour laws, they will be entitled to minimum wages, regulated working hours, and vacations. Until then, we must focus on implementing the Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy.”
The employment of domestic workers in Bangladesh remains largely informal. However, this year, the Suniti project introduced a pilot initiative to employ workers through formal contracts.
Afrin Akhtar believes this could be a game changer: “A formal contract benefits both the worker and the employer by fostering accountability and transparency.”
