Over 2,000 ran for domestic workers rights and recognition

Over 2,000 people ran for 4 million domestic workers' rights and dignity and called for recognition as 'labour' in labour law through the Oxfam Run today, Saturday, at Hatirjheel Dhaka.

Speakers at the event recommended ensuring rights for these domestic workers that will make the cities just and fair. 

Oxfam in Bangladesh organised the 'Oxfam Run' for the second time, with the support of Global Affairs Canada, under the slogan' Advocacy Beyond Walls.' The event aimed to advocate for recognising domestic workers as 'labour' in Bangladesh's labour law and to ensure their rights and dignity. Over 2,000 people, including 400 domestic workers, participated in the event, expressing solidarity with domestic workers' demands by running 7.5 km.

The run was championed by Hamidur Rahman, who took first place, followed by Animul Hasan as the runner-up and Abul Hasnat Kabir in third place. In the female category, Sweety Akter emerged as the champion, with Tamanna Afrin Mitul and Taslima Akter securing the runner-up and second runner-up positions, respectively. Additionally, there was a category for children.

Joining the closing ceremony of the Oxfam Run, Mohammad Azaz, Administrator, DNCC, took part as chief guest and said during the closing ceremony, 'We are highly dependent on our domestic workers in urban areas. However, they are among those who face the highest discrimination, so we should properly recognise domestic workers at the home, society and government levels. With their rights and entitlements ensured, we can make a just and fair country.'

Special guest AHM Shafiquzzaman, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, said, 'Considering the importance of domestic workers, we are trying to bring them into the formal sector so they get proper recognition with wages, skills, and other entitlements. This will allow them to negotiate with the government and employers for their rights. Once recognised, we can ensure that they receive benefits such as holidays, maternity leave, sick leave, safe working conditions, and fair wages.'

Through Run, Oxfam, partners and runners called for the proper implementation of the Policy on Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers 2015, ratification of the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, and stronger measures to safeguard the rights and dignity of this critical workforce for years through its difference approaches.
Mahmuda Sultana, Acting Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, said, 'Oxfam has been working for a long time on the rights of domestic workers. It is important to note that changes at the policy level are not enough; we also need to change our mindset. Recognising domestic workers as "workers" is not just the responsibility of policymakers; we all need to think differently about this issue.'
According to an Oxfam study in 2022, about 93% of women domestic workers reported experiencing harassment at their workplaces, with 67% suffering emotional abuse, 61% verbal abuse, and 21% physical abuse. Despite their contributions to GDP, domestic workers remain excluded from labour law protections, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, harassment, and inadequate wages. Working for Domestic Workers through Suniti Project, Oxfam supports 18,000 women domestic workers in developing professional and life skills, creating better job opportunities, and advocating for their inclusion in labour laws.
Representatives from various government officials, embassies, CSOs, media, and other stakeholders, along with the runners, participated in the event.