Dhaka: The cabinet approved a policy for ensuring the security, fair wages and overall welfare of domestic helps working across the country.

The draft of the Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy 2015 ratified on Monday in the regular cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam after the meeting said the policy has been formulated according the section 189 of Geneva Convention.

He said the policy recognised works of the domestic helps, both male and female, as 'labour' ensuring their protection, welfare, rest, entertainment, leave alongside decent works and good working environment.

Shafiul Alam said the policy has been framed in light of the Labour Law and the minimum age of the domestic workers under the policy will be 14 for doing light works. The domestic workers above 18 years will be eligible for heavy works, he said.

The Cabinet Secretary said the salaries of the domestic workers will be fixed upon mutual agreement between the employers and the domestic workers so that the domestic helps could not be subjected to any kind of oppression, indecent behaviour and physical and mental torture.

In case of physical and mental torture, the Cabinet Secretary said the provisions of punishment under the existing laws, including penal code and Women and Child Repression Prevention Act, will be applicable and the government will ensure it.

He said the Workers Welfare Foundation will oversee ensuring of the facilities for domestic helps.

Besides, he said the government will introduce a 'helpline' for the domestic workers while there will be also an awareness campaign.

According to the policy, it will be mandatory for the employers to pay monthly wages to the domestic workers by the seventh of every month, provide adequate compensation in case of any accident, ensure a 16-week paid maternity leave, bear the cost of treatment, and ensure a safe work environment and adequate time for their relaxation and recreation.