Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Domestic workers union in Goa, under the guidance of National Domestic Workers Forum in Mumbai has called on the Goa Government to ensure the registration of all domestic workers — domestic helps, maids, cooks, cleaners, etc — and to provide them compensation under the Disaster Management Act on account of loss of livelihoods due to the pandemic.
Goa Domestic and Migrant Workers’ Forum, a union registered with the Goa Labour Commission is coordinating efforts on behalf of the Goa Domestic Workers Union in Goa.
On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the ILO Convention 189 — Decent Work for Domestic Workers,’ adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 16th June 2011, the Union has also written to various MPs to pass legislation for Domestic Workers in the light of which India will also be able to Ratify Convention 189 and demonstrate to the South Asian Countries, that India cares for this vulnerable section of workers
All domestic worker unions have written to the PM but are fully aware that he will respond only if the MPs also vocalize this demand and make the existence of domestic workers visible.
During this pandemic which is over 15 months now, these workers have suffered badly as employers kept them at a distance for fear of the virus. So the majority of lost wages too.
Those that did permit workers to work they demanded more work and paid less while workers had to spend more money to get to work as there was no public transport for several weeks.
Workers have had to continue to pay rents and repay loans and have been harassed for not doing so. Many family members have been ill and many have had to pay for care which has also been beyond their means. Some have died leaving orphaned children behind and even lost relatives. There has been no compensation. Some workers have received some ration but other needs require cash.
Considering the specific conditions of this sector, where workers work in private homes in a dispersed and irregular manner, the National Platform for Domestic Workers makes the following demands:
1. Ratify ILO Convention 189
2. Enact Comprehensive Legislation for Domestic Workers in the light of which India will also be able to Ratify Convention 189 and demonstrate to the South Asian Countries, that India cares for this vulnerable section of workers.
3. In the interim, register all domestic workers in the Labour Department Provide the cash compensation of Rs.7500 for the number of days of work lost as per the Disaster Management Act.
4. Extend the 100 days of work under the MGNREGA to the urban areas.
“We are therefore appealing to the MPs that you raise these issues in Parliament so this sector of workers are recognized as workers with rights,” they said.
The National Platform of Domestic Workers has also formulated a Bill for Domestic Workers which could be used in Parliament.
