By Verghese V Joseph –
In the midst of a devastating global health pandemic, the issue faced by domestic workers could not have come at a more critical time. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role that they play in supporting the care needs of households. It has also exposed the precarious position the majority have found themselves in – many being obliged to go to work despite the health risks, others losing their jobs, with no access to income-support measures, putting them and their families at risk of falling into poverty or deeper poverty.
Meanwhile, the households in which they work have struggled with additional care responsibilities, as parents juggle with teleworking and ensuring that their children are educated while at home. Never before has the interdependence of domestic workers and the households they care for been so clear. Neither has the vulnerability of the millions of domestic workers earning a living behind the closed doors of private households been so visible.
Of the 75.6 million domestic workers worldwide, 76.2 per cent are women, meaning that a quarter of domestic workers are men. Domestic work is a more important source of employment though among female employees than among male employees.
Although they provide essential services, domestic workers rarely have access to rights and protection. Globally, around 81 per cent are in informal employment – that’s twice the share of informal employment among other employees. They also face some of the most strenuous working conditions. They earn 56 per cent of average monthly wages of other employees, and are more likely than other workers to work either very long or very short hours. They are also vulnerable to violence and harassment, and restrictions on freedom of movement. Informal domestic workers are particularly vulnerable. Informality in domestic work can partly be attributed to gaps in national labour and social security legislation, and partly to gaps in implementation.
In North-East India, the Center for Development Initiatives (CDI),the social development wing of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) and Ferrando Domestic Workers Alliance (FDWA), after a weeklong observation of Northeast Domestic Workers Week 2021 reached its climax on the 16th of June. The International Domestic Workers Day was celebrated through a webinar facilitated by Sr. Rose Paite the CDI Director, with the theme: “Making Decent Work a Reality for Domestic workers Beyond Covid-19”.
Speaking of the contribution the domestic workers, Sr. Philomena Mathew, the superior General MSMHC said, ‘Domestic workers who contribute immensely to the family and society through their service deserve just wages and approval of their contributions in the society, I sincerely hope that the country recognize domestic work as a dignified work and making decent work a reality soon’.
On the state government initiatives and support, Ms. Ishanu Shah, the deputy labor commissioner of the Government of Assam who is in charge of domestic workers in her department, said, “The Government of Assam has introduced different schemes for domestic workers; a national database of domestic workers is a bold initiative in this regard. It is desired that the domestic workers have Aadhar and ration cards”.
Sharing the historical journey of domestic workers in India, Sr. Lissy Joseph, the chairperson of National Workers Welfare Trust and the vice-president of the confederation of the free trade union of India (CFTUI), “There are 30 million domestic workers in India today; the movement of domestic workers in the early ’80s named Poona Morkatni Sangam was formed into a union. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, the domestic workers movement began in the year 1997 and the major goal was to make the domestic workers experience the dignity of work and ensure their labour rights. In the year 2000, they started uniting the domestic workers in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The International Labour Organization (ILO) in the year 2008 brought the issue of domestic work in their agenda and later all many countries responded. India supported it in 2012. There are now domestic workers welfare boards in Maharashtra, Kerala and these measures can only be enjoyed by the domestic workers if they are registered.”
Sr. Christy, ICM, National Coordinator of National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) speaking on the occasion felt that, “The contribution of domestic workers to the economy of our country is great. It has been 10 years since the adoption of ILO’s convention but the fight for the rights and legal protection of domestic workers continues. The pandemic has affected the domestic workers for the last two years and many have become jobless, while many others have lost their lives as well. Since Domestic Work is not recognized as essential services, it has become a challenge for domestic workers to continue their services”.
In the words of Prasenjit Das, State Lead, Breaking the Barrier Project of Assam, “Today is a positive day and this is like a new beginning for all of us and the domestic Workers. There are cases and issues of unsafe migration related to domestic workers and the unorganized sector. A lot needs to be done, sensitizing about Covid-19 vaccination for the domestic workers and their mental health are actual needs.”
According to Netaji Basumatary from IGSSS, “We need to ponder upon what can be done if the domestic workers are still not paid their minimum wages in Assam, the absence of a Redressal forum to address the issues of the domestic workers adds to this problem.”
Suneetha Eluri, from ILO shared that this decade is an occasion to check, “how many steps forward we went and how many steps we were pushed backward towards fighting for the rights of domestic workers.”
Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe from NEIRBC Commission for Ecumenism and NESCOM concluded that the demands of the domestic workforce are not only fair but also an appeal to various sections in the society. The issue of human trafficking is a dangerous aspect of domestic work.
Neha Wadhawan from ILO said that the rights of domestic workers in the North East was decisive as families are dependent on the work of domestic workers.
Fr. George Menamparampil SDB highlighted the difference in the situation of domestic workers in India and abroad and said a lot needs to be done to recognize the labour of the people.
Later, a declaration by the participants was put forth.
We join the ILO in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the C 189 session and we demand and appeal for the following:
- Ensure decent work for domestic workers
- Ensure minimum wages for all the domestic workers in all the States of North East India
- Registration of all Domestic Workers in Labour Department
- Enact comprehensive legislation for Domestic workers
- Stop children in domestic work and ensure quality education
- Inclusion of domestic workers in social security schemes
- Prioritize Covid vaccination for all domestic workers.
Sr. Molly the assistant director of CDI proposed the vote of thanks.