There is much reluctance to recognise and accept the tasks performed by domestic workers as their workplace is a private household, unlike in other sectors. Lack of regulation means domestic workers get poor wages, work in shoddy conditions, lack job security and have little social security. The unique nature of their place of work means organising them is difficult, especially as many of them see themselves not as workers with rights but as helpers.
Domestic workers have been included under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, after earnest efforts. Though it calls for setting up of local complaints committees, there is lack of clarity on how crimes occurring in private households should be seen and how domestic workers should be ensured protection.
Against this backdrop, the SEWA Union is launching a national campaign for safe workplaces for domestic workers. First phase discussion have already got under way in the State in Kottayam in association with the district administration and workers’ organisations.
In Thiruvananthapuram, a one-day workshop on ‘Redressal mechanism for sexual harassment of women at workplace: ways to include unorganised sector’ will be held at the Collectorate conference hall on Monday in connection with the International Domestic Workers’ Day celebrations. The discussion will focus on how the unorganised sector can benefit from this law.
District Collector K. Vasuki will inaugurate the workshop, being organised under the aegis of the district administration and the SEWA Union, at 9.30 a.m. Sonia George, general secretary of the SEWA Union, will introduce the subject. The discussion will include officials from the Social Justice and Labour departments, representatives of trade unions and Local Self-government Institutions, and Kudumbasree, and social activists.
At 3 p.m., a rally and a public meeting in which domestic workers will take part will be held at Martyrs’ Column, Palayam. Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunil Kumar will inaugurate the public meeting.
Kerala State Women’s Commission member E.M. Radha will speak.
