Let’s give domestic workers what they deserve

Indrani Kalita(cdimsmhc@gmail. com)Not many know about the ‘International Day of Domestic Workers’ celebrated on the 16 of June every year. The occasion is observed for one of the most significant yet unrecognized workers in the urban society, the domestic workers.

They are those who cook, clean, wash, take care of the elderlies, are obnoxious children and make sure our everyday lives are comfortable and bearable. The delicious food that we relish, the clean clothes that we wear and the polished floors that we walk on are testaments to their relentless and honest efforts. Domestic workers play an important role in urban society, socially and economically.

They provide direct and indirect care services and as such are key contributors to the care economy. They can be broadly categorized into live-in and live-out domestic workers. Live-in domestic workers are those who simultaneously work and reside within the private homes of their employers, while live-out workers leave for their homes post the end of their work schedule.

They perform all sorts of domestic chores when and as desired by their employers. Therefore, the urban families live a life of comfort and ease due to their domestic helper. Yet, despite their daily sacrifices and top-notch services they live from hand to mouth.

Their pay is certainly not on a par with the services offered, and they do not get the warranted securities that they so deserve. Domestic workers are in high demand in India, especially in metropolitan cities and the inexistence of appropriate laws and acts to regulate domestic work and protect them have created a culture of exploitation among the employers, as there is no fear of being prosecuted or jailed. Domestic workers are offered a meagre wage which does not complement the services that they offer, and they work for long unspecified hours with no paid leaves, no paid maternity leaves, protection from workplace abuse and harassment, annual leave, workplace safety security, health security and myriad others.

They toil silently as they know their silence is the only thing that’s making them ensure their own and their families’ daily sustenance. The harsh reality is that they have no choice but to rise against the barrage of injustices meted out to them which is quite distasteful and unwelcome in a self-proclaimed democratic nation like India which is also a signatory member of International Human Rights laws. It is high time we gave the domestic workers their dues, there is not one more moment to lose, and as an entity working for the welfare of the domestic workers, I can assure you that they have suffered for far too long and far too much.

We all have a responsibility to make the world a better place, and one of the best places to start is to give domestic workers the reverence that they unquestionably deserve. Therefore, on this International Domestic Workers Day and henceforth let’s work for their uplift and empowerment. Let’s be responsible, fair, empathic citizens and ensure the domestic workers have their rightful place in the social milieu.

Let’s bestow upon them their rightful monthly pay, the leaves that they deserve, the securities that they need, and the schemes that they are entitled to. Let’s make sure that the desirable and just workplace etiquettes are in place and most importantly our earnest esteem. .