Marking International Labour Day, seven organisations working on women's rights yesterday urged the government to ensure protection and dignity for women workers.

In a media release, the organisations stated that although women's contribution to national economic development is recognised, they continue to face violence and discrimination in workplace environments.

They called for urgent and visible action from the government in this regard.

The organisations are Nari Unnayan Shakti, Young Women for Development Rights and Climate, Bangladeshi Ovhibashi Mohila Sramik Association, Forum for Culture and Human Development, Association of Voluntary Actions for Society, and Love Thy Neighbour.

They highlighted that both domestic and migrant women workers continue to face sexual harassment, insecurity, and labour discrimination on a regular basis, terming the situation a "serious state-level crisis".

The organisations made separate demands to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to uphold the rights of female workers both at home and abroad.

Their demands to the Labour and Employment Ministry include making it mandatory to formulate "self-guidelines" and establish "complaint committees" at every workplace.

They also urged the labour ministry to ensure gender equality in wages, promotions, and leave policies; ensure safe resting rooms, hygienic toilets, and maternity benefits for women workers; appoint welfare officers in garment and other factories; and establish daycare centres at workplaces with 50 or more female employees.

In addition, they demanded the creation of a "Women Worker Protection and Response Cell" under the labour ministry and called for regular monitoring.

To the Expatriates' Welfare Ministry, the organisations demanded mandatory "Safety and Rights Training" for women migrant workers before migration, the establishment of round-the-clock "Women Support Desks" with hotlines at all Bangladeshi missions abroad, and the provision of rehabilitation, psychological support, and legal assistance for women migrants returning after experiencing sexual abuse.