Speaking at a one-day workshop organised in connection with the State-level observance of International Domestic Workers’ Day, Mr. John said the Planning Board would address the social, financial, and labour issues faced by domestic workers in the Economic Review 2012.
“Constitution of a welfare fund board will be a major step towards addressing the labour issues of workers in this unorganised sector. If the non-governmental organisations and unions working in this sector present a project proposal it can be definitely taken up by the Planning Board,” he said.
Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Youth Affairs P.K. Jayalakshmi inaugurated the workshop jointly organised by the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Self Employed Women’s Association, and Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS).
Ms. Jayalakshmi said the problems faced by domestic workers, especially those working in foreign countries, needed to be addressed. “Domestic workers were like labourers in any other sector. Their rights need to be protected by law. The first step towards this is initiating a public discussion on the issues faced by domestic workers,” Ms. Jayalakshmi said.
INTUC State president R. Chandrashekharan, who presided over the function, said the Union and State governments should jointly formulate projects for the welfare of domestic workers.
SEWA Union State secretary Sonia George said the Government of India had recently taken positive steps towards recognising the labour rights of domestic workers. This included the signing of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) convention ‘Decent work for domestic workers’ and the inclusion of domestic workers in the Anti Sexual Harassment Bill.
The Union government had constituted a task force to formulate a policy on domestic workers’ welfare. Defining the workplace and working environment of domestic workers was the biggest challenge in the formulation of a legal framework to protect such workers, Ms. George said.
Complex issue
“The fact that domestic workers work in other people’s houses itself makes the issue complex as homes are conventionally considered as private spaces. Bringing the house environment under the ambit of a legal framework is the most challenging issue. The task force is working towards bringing benefits enjoyed by workers in other sectors to domestic workers. This includes benefits like pension, sick leave, and maternity leave,” she said.
State Labour Commissioner T.T. Antony, Additional Secretary (Labour) B. Babu, National Policy for Domestic Workers task force member Nalini Nayak, CITU general secretary M.M. Lawrence, and HMS State president M.K. Kannan took part in the workshop.
