Rights activists have made an appeal to the government to protect women migrant workers from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During this time of the pandemic, women domestic workers are being forced to handle extra workload in the job destination countries while sometimes facing workplace abuses, they said.
They also called on both Bangladesh and the destination countries to take measures to ensure safe and orderly migration of women workers.
The call came at a virtual discussion on 'Covid-19 pandemic and women migrant workers: Service delivery mechanism and the way forward' in the city on Tuesday, organised by the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK) marking the International Domestic Workers Day.
Shirin Lira moderated the event joined by chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Nasima Begum, national and international rights activists and government officials.
Sumaiya Islam, executive director of BNSK, said women migrant workers are not getting their wages regularly. Moreover, they are forced to take on extra workload.
During the pandemic, the workload of the migrant domestic helps has increased manifold as most family members of the employers are now staying indoors, she said.
She urged the governments of Bangladesh and the job destination countries to take necessary measures to safeguard their rights.
Speaking as the chief guest, NHRC chairman Nasima Begum stressed the need to provide proper support for women workers during the pandemic.
Secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen said they are working towards ensuring safe migration of all workers, including women migrants.
