A multi-pronged approach involving all the stakeholders is essential to create awareness of the rights of domestic workers, representatives of National Domestic Workers Movement said here on Thursday.
The Movement’s national president, Felix D’Souza, told mediapersons that domestic workers, mostly women, do not have any recognition or rights. The organisation, with over 18,000 members in the State, has been campaigning for social security schemes for the workers.
In Chennai, about 4,000 workers have enrolled with the body. “We strive for the dignity, justice and empowerment of such workers and also rescue child labourers. So far, about 200 children have been rescued in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
The Movement’s founder, Jeanne Devos, said awareness campaigns particularly among youngsters are conducted and the main demands are payment of minimum wages and pension for domestic workers. As the labourers are mostly involved in household chores, organising them is difficult and hence a proper survey on the number of workers has not been conducted.
The Movement, which is celebrating its silver jubilee year, wants a Central legislation to protect rights of domestic workers. It would conduct a two-day programme here from Friday. While a workshop on ILO Convention would be conducted on Friday, a public meeting and walk would be held on Saturday in which Union Minister for Labour Mallikarjun Kharge, State Minister for Labour T.M.Anbarasan and Minister for Social Welfare P.Geetha Jeevan are scheduled to participate.
International Labour Organisation’s project coordinator (Equality and Decent Work Promotion) Bharti Birla said a project focussing on skill upgradation of workers has been launched to open career avenues in hospitality industry.
