Domestic, service workers seek increase in govt allocation for service sector
The workers made the demand while organising a human chain to mark the Global Day of Action for Care in front of the National Press Club
The National Domestic Women Workers Union has demanded an increase in government allocation for the service sector to ensure a decent work environment for domestic and service workers.
Addressing a human chain organised to mark the Global Day of Action for Care in front of the National Press Club on Thursday, the organisation's President Abul Hossain said, "The service sector is important, but it is not getting an adequate amount of allocation.
"We came here today to press home our demand for ensuring the necessary allocation of funds to this sector, which is a global demand too."
He further said, "The pandemic has made us realise how important the service economy is. When almost every other sector was shut down due to the pandemic, the service sector – in one way or another – helped keep the country's wheel of economy turning.
"The scope of the service sector economy is quite large."
Abul Hossain continued, "The scope of the service sector is larger than just the national service sector. Though a big part of the GDP comes from the service sector, the government allocation here is always low. We want the government to give more importance to this sector."
Murshida Akhter, general secretary of the organisation, said, "We want to live. We want a fair wage. The way we are neglected, makes us question whether we are considered as human beings at all.
"No one stands by us when we are ill, but we are always by everyone's side during any good or bad situation."
Leaders and workers of different levels of the organisation participated in the human chain.
Besides, representatives from the Bangladesh branch of the National Farmers' Association, International Confederation of Trade Unions, Caritas Bangladesh and the National Garment Workers' Alliance also attended the event.