The exploitation and abuse of domestic
workers has been prevalent in India for many years now. In addition to
being overworked and underpaid, domestic workers are often ill-treated
and in some cases, even physically attacked and sexually harassed.
The efforts of Paschim Banga Griha Paricharika Samiti (PGPS-West
Bengal Domestic Workers Society), a Kolkata-based workers’ organisation,
fighting on behalf of domestic workers, paid off this week after the
organisation was granted a trade union certificate by the Bengal
government, according to a report in the Hindu.
PGPS is the first organisation of domestic workers to be granted
trade union status in the State, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, senior
Trinamool Congress (TMC) trade union leader and Minister said.
The hard fought decision was particularly rewarding for domestic
workers like Tapsi Moira. For the 38-year-old, a domestic worker living
in south Kolkata, life had become even more of a struggle after she
became part of the organisation of domestic workers.
“Everyday I set out for work at 6 am and return home in the
afternoon. Since 2014 I had to rush to the Labour Department’s office
several days a week to ensure that our organisation is granted trade
union status,” the Hindu report quoted Moira.
In urban areas, domestic workers face innumerable difficulties at
their workplace, ranging from being given stale food to being humiliated
at security checks. Sexual and physical violence too are common. A
principal reason behind the systemic exploitation is the absence of
legal protection for domestic workers. According to data, Indian homes
have witnessed a 120% increase in domestic workers in the decade post
liberalisation. While the figure was 7,40,000 in 1991, the number increased to 16.6 lakh in 2001. Over the years, incidents of crimes against domestic workers have also been reported.
In 2015, two Nepali maids had alleged
that they were raped and beaten by a Saudi diplomat. The police said a
medical examination of the women confirmed they were raped.
This year, In May, Soni Kumari,
a minor girl who was trafficked from Jharkhand to work as a domestic
worker in Delhi was brutally murdered for demanding her wages. Initial
police investigation had revealed that the alleged traffickers had
brought Soni to Delhi. After placing her in domestic employment, they
regularly pocketed her wages. Several months later, when the minor asked
the accused for her wages, she was murdered in a planned manner.
Post the incident, The Wire had reported on the working conditions of domestic workers in urban Delhi. The Wire had
spoken to nearly a dozen domestic workers in the Shahbad Dairy
locality, most of who complained about the treatment they receive.
Workers complained that while looking out for employment, they are often
asked questions about their caste and religion and that Muslims are
usually not hired.
Domestic workers are required to carry an identity card with them to
work, while they themselves know nothing about their employers. There is
an implicit lack of trust when it comes to workers – often – purses are
frisked and questions asked. They do not have fixed lunch breaks and
are not permitted to take leaves, even during emergencies. If they do go
on leave, employers deduct their pay. Often the situation takes a
bitter turn when the workers’ demand for a salary raise ends in charges
of theft levelled against them. Domestic workers often do not know how
to shield themselves against such crimes.
There are only two laws in the country that grant domestic workers
‘labour’ status. First, Unorganised Labour Social Security Act, 2008 and
second, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. But none of the laws talks about
any legal framework regarding rights of domestic workers.
In the light of this, granting trade union status to domestic
workers’ union is a milestone for those working in the unorganised
sector, say experts and activists.
Content Credit - thewire.in website
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