THE recent revelation of the torture inflicted on a 13-year-old domestic worker in the Bashundhara residential area of Dhaka has reignited the discussion surrounding the plight of domestic workers. The young girl, subjected to relentless physical and mental abuse by her employer, endured unimaginable cruelty, including being burnt with a hair straightener and losing her front teeth. She was starved, forbidden from contacting her family, and forced to live in squalor. Even with severe injuries, she was denied medical care. Born into extreme poverty in Habiganj, her father, a rickshaw puller, and her mother, burdened with six children, sent her to work in an attempt to alleviate their financial hardship. Following media coverage, the police rescued the child, and she is now receiving treatment.
This horrifying case is not an isolated incident. Abuse of domestic workers is pervasive, yet much of it remains unreported. According to the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, over 50 per cent of domestic workers experience physical abuse. Between 2001 and 2020, 578 domestic workers were killed while on duty. Research by Ain O Salish Kendra further reveals that 90 per cent of such deaths are the result of physical abuse. Despite these staggering figures, victims frequently face insurmountable barriers to justice, including power imbalances, prolonged legal processes, financial constraints, and pressure to settle cases outside court. The absence of impartial witnesses further diminishes the likelihood of achieving justice.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics estimates that the country is home to 2.5 million domestic workers, including over 400,000 children. Despite their indispensable contributions to the economy, these workers are excluded from labour laws, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and mistreatment. Many endure excessive working hours, lack recreation, and face punitive salary deductions, inadequate food, insufficient clothing, and denial of medical care. Such conditions lead to severe mental trauma, hampering their development and, in extreme cases, driving some to suicide. The constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in Article 14, 15, 17, 18, 28, 34, and 36 remain unfulfilled for these marginalised workers.
Bangladesh faces growing international criticism for its inability to safeguard workers’ rights, ranking 155th in a global workers’ rights index. This troubling position highlights widespread violations and raises serious concerns about meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 8, and 10. While Bangladesh has signed the International Labour Organisation’s domestic workers convention (No 189), it has yet to ratify it. Ratifying this convention is a crucial step towards aligning with international labour standards and fulfilling the commitments outlined in Article 25 of the constitution.
The domestic workers’ welfare and protection policy 2015 must be revised and codified into enforceable law. The labour reform commission, currently working on labour issues, should urgently advocate legislation that safeguards domestic workers’ rights. A registration and database system for domestic workers is essential, accompanied by mandatory written contracts that define the responsibilities of both employers and workers. Credit point systems could incentivise compliance, with penalties for violations. A coordinated approach involving the ministry of labour and employment, the ministry of law, justice, and parliamentary affairs, and the supreme court is necessary to ensure thorough monitoring and timely resolution of abuse cases. Simplifying legal processes, introducing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for minor complaints, and ensuring adequate compensation for victims are critical steps.
Community-based initiatives could also play a vital role. Local groups comprising students and volunteers should be established in residential areas to raise awareness and report incidents of abuse. Supporting these groups would encourage accountability. Toll-free complaint numbers, ID cards for domestic workers, and stricter supervision of service providers would further enhance transparency and accountability. Above all, the effective implementation of existing labour policies is imperative.
Without immediate action to protect domestic workers and address entrenched discrimination, the principles of justice and equality enshrined in Bangladesh’s Constitution risk becoming meaningless rhetoric. By ensuring fair working conditions, enabling access to justice, and ratifying international conventions, Bangladesh can strive towards building a more equitable society for all.
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Md Ziaur Rahman is an MPhil fellow at the Institute of Bangladesh Studies.
