Domestic workers

Published on 17 Feb 2025

According to the NGO National Domestic Workers Movement, the number of domestic workers in India range from an official estimate of 4.2 million to an unofficial estimate of more than 50 million. Around 2.9 million among them are women, which contributes to 3.5% of total women employment.

Issues faced by domestic workers in India

✔     Poor working condition: Domestic workers are denied minimum wages and are not compensated adequately for long working hours.

●      Example: According to the National Domestic Workers Movement, the working hours of a live-in domestic worker is around 15 hours a day and work for 7 days a week.

✔     Lack of job security: There is uncertainty in terms of their employment due to the risk of abrupt dismissal. The absence of security also furthers the exploitation.

✔     Exploitation and harassment: Domestic workers, mainly those belonging to marginalized communities and women, suffer from abuse and exploitation, which affect their dignity.

●      Example: Based on a survey by NGO SPARK, one third of the domestic workers were treated in a disrespectful manner by their employer and around 3% of them suffered from verbal or physical abuse.

✔     Insufficient data availability: Lack of reliable data regarding the number of domestic workers prevents the government and NGOs from effective actions for improving.

●      Example: The NSSO figures the number of domestic workers in India as 4.2 million, but this is an underestimate figure. ILO considers the number of domestic workers to be so vague that it can range between 2.5 million to 90 million.

✔     Poor unionization: Majority of domestic workers are not well organized, which reduces the bargaining power of the group.

✔     Informal placement agencies: The housekeeping companies are working in an informal manner and are more focussed on their own profit rather than the rights of workers.

✔     Poor implementation of laws: Despite having legislations for minimum wage and social security, these are not effectively implemented.

●      Example: Domestic work was included as a scheduled employment under Minimum Wages Act, 1948, but only 13 states / UTs have passed legislation requiring minimum wages for domestic employees.

Way forward

✔     Formalize employment contracts: Contracts specifying the terms of employment, wage, working hours and benefits to be mentioned to give clarity and protection for domestic workers.

✔     Formation of worker association: The state shall encourage the formation of domestic workers associations or unions to collectively empower them.

✔     Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Create an accessible mechanism for domestic workers to report grievances, seek assistance and to resolve disputes.

✔     Skill enhancement programmes: Implement government sponsored skill enhancement programmes to broaden the employment opportunities for domestic workers.

Hence, domestic workers largely constitute a neglected section with minimal laws in place to cater their demand. States should come up with some of the above mentioned measures to improve the condition of domestic workers in India.

Tags:
Social Justice

Keywords:
Domestic workers Women

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Social Justice