Minimum wage, weekly off, job security and ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention C 189 concerning decent workplace for domestic workers, were the among the many demands raised by 500-odd workers, who participated in the 7th International Domestic Workers Day demonstration at Valluvar Kottam on Friday. The workers had come with brooms, mops and dusters and were raising slogans on the need for a decent livelihood.
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“I cook and clean in three house all days of the week, but what I earn is not enough to run my household. I have two children and my mother is dependent on me,” said J. Vijayalakshmi, a domestic worker from T. Nagar.
S. Anjali, another worker pointed out that apart from low wages and working with no break, many are also prone to discrimination from their employers, deeply hurting their emotions. “I clean toilets and wash their vessels, but I am not allowed to drink water or eat in in my employer’s utensils. I also have to rush to the common bathroom, outside the building, to relieve myself every single time,” said Anjali.
Workers added that poor work conditions, violence and abuse at the hands of employers, lack of welfare measures and skill development avenues resulting in stagnation were major issues faced by domestic workers. “My grandmother was a domestic worker, so was my mother and I too work in four houses,” said V. Sheela from Choolaimedu. “I began working in people’s houses when I was a child, on days when my mother couldn’t go. And it became my permanent job. But I’m now ensuring that my daughter doesn’t meet the same fate as me,” she said.
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There are around nine welfare schemes available for these workers under the Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers Welfare Board where financial assistance is given“We have sent a request to the State suggesting that one percent of tax be deducted for domestic workers welfare on purchase of houses,” said Josephine Valarmathi from National Domestic Workers Movement.