India’s Domestic Workers: A Call for Protection and Fair Wages

Context

Domestic workers play a vital role in managing households across India, yet they remain one of the most vulnerable groups in the workforce. Despite their significant contribution, they face low wages, job insecurity, lack of legal protection, and frequent exploitation.

• India has over 50 million domestic workers, the majority of whom are women.
• They work in private households, performing essential services such as cleaning, cooking, childcare, and elderly care.
• Unlike other labor sectors, domestic work remains unrecognized under many labor laws, leading to informal and unregulated employment.
• Many domestic workers migrate from rural areas to urban centers, often ending up in poor living conditions with no social security.

The lack of legal recognition and formal employment conditions keeps domestic workers in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability, making them prone to exploitation, abuse, and job insecurity.

Who are Domestic Workers?

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 defines domestic workers as individuals employed to perform tasks within or for a household. Their responsibilities include:

• Household chores: Cleaning, washing, ironing, and maintaining the house.
• Cooking and food preparation.
• Childcare and elderly care, including assistance to sick individuals.
• Gardening and pet care.
• Driving for the family.

They can be:

• Live-in workers (residing in their employer’s household).
• Live-out workers (commuting daily from their own homes).
• Part-time or full-time workers depending on the household’s needs.

Key Issues Affecting Domestic Workers

1. Lack of Legal Protection

• Domestic workers are not covered under major labor laws like:
  • Minimum Wages Act – No guaranteed fair wages.
  • Equal Remuneration Act – No gender-based wage protection.
• No formal employment contracts, leading to job insecurity and arbitrary dismissals.

2. Low Wages and No Social Security

• Most workers earn less than the minimum wage, with no overtime pay.
• No access to Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or Employees’ State Insurance (ESI).
• No maternity leave, health insurance, or pension benefits.

3. Exploitation and Harassment

• Frequent cases of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.
• Unregulated placement agencies exploit workers by charging high recruitment fees and withholding wages.
• Many workers hesitate to report abuse due to fear of losing their job.

4. Migrant Workers and Poor Living Conditions

• Many domestic workers migrate from rural areas to cities, facing:
  • Unsafe, overcrowded housing.
  • Lack of basic facilities like water, sanitation, and electricity.
  • Discrimination based on caste and social background.

5. Lack of Recognition and Social Stigma

• Domestic work is often seen as unskilled labor, despite requiring significant expertise and effort.
• Gender bias results in lower wages and lack of dignity in employment.

Measures to Address These Challenges

1. Legal Reforms and Formalization of Work

• Enact a Domestic Workers’ Protection Law to:
  • Ensure minimum wages, fixed working hours, and overtime pay.
  • Provide written contracts for job security.
  • Mandate registration of domestic workers and placement agencies.
• Example: South Africa’s Domestic Workers Protection Law guarantees legal protection and fair wages.

2. Social Security and Welfare Benefits

• Extend Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) to include domestic workers.
• Expand the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act (2008) to offer:
  • Maternity benefits.
  • Health insurance.
  • Pension schemes.
• Example: Kerala’s Domestic Workers Welfare Board provides medical aid and pension schemes.

3. Regulation of Placement Agencies

• Strict laws to regulate recruitment agencies, ensuring transparency.
• Mandatory government registration of placement agencies to prevent trafficking.
• Example: Delhi’s Draft Policy for Domestic Workers proposes worker registration and legal contracts.

4. Awareness and Skill Development

• Educate domestic workers about their legal rights through:
  • NGOs and government campaigns.
  • Skill India Mission programs to enhance employability.
• Example: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) offers training programs for domestic workers.

5. Strengthening Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

• Establish district and state-level complaint centers for:
  • Wage disputes.
  • Cases of abuse and harassment.
• Example: The State Domestic Workers Welfare Board in Delhi handles worker grievances but requires better implementation.

6. Promoting Unionization and Collective Bargaining

• Encourage the formation of domestic worker unions to advocate for their rights.
• Example: The National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) actively fights for policy changes.

7. Leveraging Technology for Transparency

• Develop digital platforms to:
  • Register domestic workers.
  • Monitor employment contracts and wage payments.
• Example: Helper4U connects verified domestic workers with employers, ensuring fair employment practices.

8. Ratifying ILO Convention 189

• India should ratify the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 189, which provides global labor standards for domestic workers.

Examples of Progressive Models

• Kerala’s Domestic Workers Welfare Board – Provides financial aid, medical benefits, and pensions.
• Delhi’s Draft Policy for Domestic Workers – Proposes mandatory registration, contracts, and social security benefits.
• South Africa’s Domestic Workers Act – Recognizes domestic work as formal employment, ensuring minimum wages and worker rights.

Conclusion

Domestic workers are a crucial but often overlooked segment of India's workforce. Their lack of protection under labor laws reflects a broader issue of neglect and inequality. However, with strong legal reforms, better social security, and public awareness, India can ensure fair wages, dignity, and security for domestic workers.

A dedicated Domestic Workers Protection Law, combined with government initiatives, legal recognition, and social inclusion, will lead to a more just and equitable society where domestic workers receive the respect and rights they deserve.