DHAKA, Dec 03, 2024 (BSS) - Domestic aid and cleaning workers today demanded their inclusion in labour laws as well as official recognition as labourers.

They placed their demand at a view-exchange meeting with the Labour Reform Commission at Srama Bhaban in Bijoynagar of the city.

Labour Reform Commission Chief Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed said the Labour Reform Commission has started preparing a report based on recommendations, for the labour sector through exchanging views with the marginalized workers of the country to protect nearly 7.30 crore labour force and ensure their fundamental rights.

After the meeting, he said the labour commission has started working on 12 issues to establish a minimum national wage and social status for all workers in the country.

The commission will submit its recommendations to the government within the next 90 days maintaining national and international standards for establishing the rights of working people, Ahmed added.

Among others, the commission members, former secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Dr Mahfuzul Haque, Professor of the Institute of Bangladesh Studies, Rajshahi University Dr Zakir Hossain, Ashiqul Alam, Shakil Akhtar Chowdhury and Taslima Akhtar and former president of the Employers Federation M Kamran T Rahman were present at the meeting.

Describing the inhumane lifestyle of some 40 lakh workers of century-old Dalit and Harijan communities, who are engaged in cleaning work, the commission chief said they (the commission) is working to establish decent work and social justice for the working people.

He said the commission will work to formulate recommendations to ensure fair participation, including the right to form trade unions freely, practice of responsible trade unions and business organizations.

To ensure fair partnership and developing industrial sector, international policies will be reviewed while placing the recommendations, Ahmed added.

He said that the Labour Reform Commission will take suggestions and cooperation from all quarters to receive opinions of all stakeholders concerned for the development of labour and industrial relations.