Khubdho Naree Shomaj on Monday demanded a uniform democratic labour law and equal, dignified wages for men and women at a rally in Shahbag of Dhaka.
The platform, formed with 21 different organisations a few months ago, presented 11 demands to be included in the reports of the Labour Reform Commission and the Women鈥檚 Affairs Reform Commission.
The demands included six months of paid maternity leave for all working women, legal recognition of both formal and informal labourers, proper enforcement of anti-sexual harassment policies and complaint cells, relaxed conditions for forming trade unions to uphold freedom of expression, and effective measures to protect expatriate female workers.
Bangladesh Garment Sramik Samhati president Taslima Akhter noted that the High Court had directed in 2009 the establishment of active anti-sexual harassment cells in all educational institutions and workplaces.
鈥榃e want the government to enforce an anti-sexual harassment law, clearly defining harassment to ensure female workers鈥� safety and a healthy work environment,鈥� Taslima, also a member of the Labour Reform Commission, said.
Speakers emphasised the societal tendency to undervalue women鈥檚 work, leading to lower wages compared to men.
They also highlighted the government鈥檚 failure to ensure the safety of expatriate female workers, leaving them vulnerable to violence.
Their other demands included recognising women as labourers in agriculture and fisheries, enacting laws to protect domestic and sex workers鈥� rights, establishing day-care centres, food canteens, and washrooms in workplaces, and providing proper training for women entering the labour market.
AKOTA Women鈥檚 Forum expressed solidarity with the demands.
Narigrantha Prabartana vice-president Shima Das Shimu, university teacher Layeqa Bashir, and Nari Mukti Kendra president Shima Dutta also spoke at the rally.