An Evaluation of the Vulnerability Situation of Female Domestic Worker in Gopalganj District of Bangladesh

Background: This research study aims to assess the vulnerability of female domestic workers in Bangladesh. Methods: The present study applied a multistage random sampling technique where district and upazila were selected purposively, whereas unions, villages, and respondents were selected using simple random sampling techniques. ۲۰۰ female domestic workers were selected as a sample using a simple random sampling technique. A five-point Likert scale was applied to rank the challenges faced by female domestic workers in the study area.Findings: Analyzing the marital status of domestic worker, it is seen that ۴۹% of the domestic workers were married while ۲۵% of respondents were separated, and ۱۱% of the respondents were divorced. Findings suggest that ۳۴% of the employer provides breakfast to female domestic worker, whereas ۲۹% of respondents did not get any food support from the employer's side. Findings obtained from this study demonstrated that the average working day per month was ۲۷.۰۹ days. About ۵۷% of domestic workers work on an average ۵ to ۸ h, while the average working length ranges from ۱ to ۴ hours for ۲۳% of female domestic workers in the study area. The average monthly salary drawn by the female domestic worker was Tk. ۲۱۳۵.۰۷. The female domestic workers in the study area have recognized mental harassment as the first challenge in the workplace, with a mean index value of ۴.۰۲ followed by the insecure status of the job and the wage rate is not fixed.

Keywords:

Domestic worker , vulnerability , Gopalganj , Bangladesh