The formation of the National Domestic Workers Forum was successfully held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), organized by the Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK). The necessity of creating a strong platform to ensure the safety and security of domestic workers was highlighted during the event.

Around 200 domestic workers participated in the event from four regional offices of the Suniti project, and a 21-member National Forum was established. Zakia Sultana was elected as the president, and Morjina Sultana as the general secretary. Additionally, there are 15 organizational secretaries and members for various roles, including Training and Promotion Secretary, Publication and Finance Secretary, and Executive Members.

“Now is the time for social and state recognition of domestic work and domestic workers; inclusion as workers in labor law,” Under the slogan, the meeting was organized jointly by DSK and Oxfam in Bangladesh. DSK’s Executive Director, Dr. Dibalok Singha, stated, “Whether the Suniti project is ongoing or not, we will hold annual conferences with domestic workers to raise public awareness about their protection and against their abuse and exploitation. We will continue the movement for their inclusion in labor law.”

Other speakers included Sanjida Sultana, Acting Executive Director of Karmojibi Nari; Tarek Aziz, Project Coordinator of Oxfam; Prodip Kumar Roy, Joint Director of DSK; Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; Roksana Sultana, Executive Director of Breaking the Silence; and Abul Hossain, Coordinator of Domestic Workers Rights Network, among others. Representatives from private organizations working on domestic worker issues, members of civil society, DSK staff, media personnel, and leaders of the Domestic Workers Forum were also present.