Lawmakers have observed that increasing the allowances for the transgender people alongside carrying out more campaigns and counseling activities can help improve their living standards.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry made these recommendations during a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday, said a press release.
Currently, transgender people aged above 50 get a monthly allowance of Tk600 while their children get monthly stipends in four phases a year. Moreover, they are given skill development training.
The meeting also discussed the status of the poor children of the Haor, coastal areas and impoverished areas of the country, and recommended increasing welfare activities in those areas.
Chaired by committee Chairman Rashed Khan Menon, the meeting was also attended by Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed, Sagupta Yeasmin, Shabnam Jahan and Kazi Kaniz Sultana.
Bangladesh recognized transgender (hijra) as a third gender on November 11, 2013, and started issuing national identity cards to them.
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The government is working to bring the transgender people to mainstream society by raising awareness and ensuring their constitutional rights, according to officials. They are also given houses under the Ashrayan-2 project.
In the next census, the government has plans to add a new gender category – “hijra” –apart from male and female.
The government has also encouraged organizations by exempting 5% corporate tax for the employers hiring 100 transgender workers as a process to empower them. On the other hand, the employees would get a 10% tax rebate.
