National

Vulnerability of women domestic workers discussed

JAIPUR: The vulnerabilities of women domestic workers, belonging to the poorer and uneducated sections of the society, and the issues relating to their social security, dignity and minimum wages were highlighted at a workshop here on Saturday. The participants also discussed a draft legislation on their service conditions.

The half-day workshop was organised by the Mehnatkash Kalyan Evum Sandarbh Kendra with the support of “Jagori”, New Delhi. Representatives of voluntary organisations and civil rights groups underlined the need to empower domestic workers and enable them to negotiate terms and conditions of their work.

A report based on a study on the situation of domestic workers in Jaipur was also released on the occasion. The report laid emphasis on mobilisation of domestic workers and upgrading their skills, while addressing issues such as wage structure, working conditions, leave and absenteeism.

Among others, former chairperson of Rajasthan Women’s Commission, Pawan Surana; former Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan University, Kanta Ahuja; and People’s Union for Civil Liberties State president Prem Krishna Sharma attended the workshop.

State Principal Labour Secretary Lalit Pawar, addressing the gathering, said the State Government had already notified minimum wages for domestic workers and they would come into effect in the new financial year.

Activists pointed out that the undervaluation of domestic work had placed the women workers at a very low pedestal in the social structure.

The number of workers available is constantly on the rise with the rural to urban migration and there is no mechanism of support in case of loss of job, ill health, maternity benefits or old age pension. The draft Act on domestic workers, prepared by the National Commission for Women, was discussed in the workshop with the emphasis on its provisions for livelihood rights, regulation of employment, welfare of workers and fair and equitable conditions of their work.

Mewa Bharati of the Sandarbh Kendra said steps should be taken to ensure job security and safe working conditions of domestic workers and stringent laws enacted to prevent their exploitation and sexual abuse. The process of enacting legislations covering domestic workers has started in the States such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.

The report pointed out that a crucial step for empowerment of domestic workers would be deliberations with the employers about the rights of workers.

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