State Minister for Labour Mujibul Haque Chunnu said he had to face a lot of ridicule and bitterness “from colleagues” while formulating a policy on domestic help.
His remarks came on Thursday (Sept 13) while addressing an event by a women’s rights body.
“I was even told (by colleagues), ‘Don’t you have anything better to do?’” he said.
Chunnu said after briefing the prime minister on the issue, she told him to present it in the Cabinet. “Before anyone could say anything (at the Cabinet meeting), the prime minister said that it was cleared.”
There are some 1.2 million child labours now in Bangladesh, said the state minister hoping that it can be eradicated in the next three years.
On the abuse of domestic helps, Chunnu said “We are trying to turn the policy into an Act as people are wearier of breaking the law.”
He also said that abusing the domestic help in any way is a sign of distorted psychology and the situation will not get any better unless the people’s attitude change.