At a discussion titled "Protection and Improvement of the Quality of Life of Female Domestic Workers; What We Should Do", speakers demanded the government to implement welfare policies for domestic workers.
The meeting was held on Wednesday at the training room of the Ashar Alo Society in Mohammadpur Adabor area, with the initiative of Ashar Alo Society and in collaboration with Oxfam. It was presided over by Ashar Alo Society Executive Director Md. Abdur Rahman.
District Social Service Officer (Mohammadpur area) Md. Saiful Islam was present as the chief guest at the exchange of views meeting.
In his speech as the chief guest, he said, "The government has formulated a beautiful and timely policy that many of us are not aware of. Through today's exchange of views, you have put forward recommendations on how to implement this policy and give domestic workers the status of workers."
The chief guest also said, "The first thing that is needed to implement the rights of domestic workers is a change in our mindset. Only if we change our mindset will this problem be solved to a large extent. And to change the mindset, we need to promote and campaign on social media."
Gautam Kund, Social Welfare Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation, said, "It is not enough to make domestic workers aware. Homeowners and directors of various housing schemes should be made aware and they should be included in such meetings."
SI Momtaz Begum of Mohammadpur Police Station said, "Many people are afraid to come to the police station. You (domestic workers) should come to the police station without fear. Sometimes, homeowners threaten domestic workers with false cases. The days of false cases are over. You should come to the police station whenever you face any problem. We are by your side."
Project Officer Nahar Akhter presented a report on the overall work of Ashar Alo Society's domestic workers. The program was moderated by Ashar Alo Society's Project Coordinator Md. Abdur Rahman.
Also present at the discussion meeting were Ashar Alo Project Director Sanwar Hossain, Consultants Sadia Shishir, Shimul, Babumoni, Advocate Moon Das, representatives of various social and cultural organizations, journalists, domestic workers, and people from various professions.
