The Women’s Reform Commission has made 433 recommendations covering 15 key areas, including a proposal to recognize domestic workers and sex workers as labourers under the labour law. The commission believes this could be implemented during the tenure of the current caretaker government.
The report was handed over to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna on Saturday afternoon. During the handover, commission members presented a summary of the report to the chief adviser.
Among the recommendations deemed suitable for immediate implementation in the labour sector are: providing six months or 24 weeks of fully paid maternity, childbirth, and adoption leave across all sectors; amending the term “maternity welfare” in the labour law to “maternity rights”; and prohibiting dismissal during the period from conception to postnatal leave. It also includes necessary provisions and benefits during that period.
In addition, the commission recommends ensuring two weeks of fully paid paternity leave across all sectors.
Two other labour and employment-related recommendations considered implementable during the caretaker government's term are: formal recognition of women's work in the informal sector, and inclusion of specific provisions in public transport laws to eliminate violence and sexual harassment, with strict enforcement.
Recommendations for the next elected government include: setting a minimum wage for both male and female workers across all sectors to eliminate wage disparities, revising the minimum wage annually in line with global standards, and formulating a policy to ensure a living wage.
The report also puts forward several proposals to ensure the safe migration of female workers.
Those that could be implemented during the caretaker government's tenure include: amending existing laws, regulations, and policies concerning migrant and returnee female workers to guarantee their maximum protection, dignity, and welfare.
It also calls for the signing and enforcement of memoranda of understanding and bilateral agreements with various countries to ensure safety and support for migrant women workers, along with mechanisms for strengthened monitoring and regular quarterly and annual reporting.
Another recommendation includes the approval and implementation of a draft reintegration policy to facilitate the reintegration and employment of returnee female migrant workers.
