International Domestic Workers’ Day held
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 17
Nagaland Labour Commissioner L Nungshiyanger Aier informed today that the Labour Department have completed drafting of regulations for Nagaland Trade Union and have submitted the finished draft to the State Government for review and approval.
The drafting of the regulation took two (2) years to complete owing to complexity arising out of the nature of the trade unions here in Nagaland particularly Dimapur, Aier said while addressing the International Domestic Workers’ Day organized by Nagaland Domestic Workers’ Union and Nagaland Domestic Workers Movement at Town Hall, Dimapur under the theme “Honouring the dignity of work and workers.”
While the State Government had drafted regulation for Nagaland Trade Union way back in 1980, the scenario was uncomplicated since there were hardly any unions during that time and now with the mushrooming of motley of trade unions of complex nature, it became necessary to make a new draft, Aier informed.
Once the regulation is approved by the State Government, any trade union, who wish to register must full fill the regulations of the Nagaland Trade Union.
As compared to trade unions of other states, the Labour Commissioner pointed out that the main intention of most of the trade unions here in Nagaland was simply to collect money, a negative trait which is not practiced by trade unions of other states. Aier stated that there were a number of bogus trade unions here in Nagaland- that from a total of 80 trade unions in Nagaland, only 30 of them were found to be genuine.
The Labour Commissioner also said that unions like the NDWU were genuine and deserved to be registered under the trade union once it is approved by the State Government. And with the members of NDWU crossing 1000, Aier said the domestic workers in Nagaland would also be included under the schedule of the Minimum Wages Act which has been the demand of the domestic workers.
While recognizing the contribution of the domestic workers in Nagaland, Aier also pointed on the dependency of the middle and upper class on the domestic workers to do chores and task which they find no time to do.
He therefore said until and unless regulations were made, the rights of the domestic workers stand to be exploited.
Dr KPA Ilyas, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Sister Mary CJ, Provincial Superior, UFSNE in their speeches stressed on the need to treat domestic workers, respect their work and secure a safe working environment while at the same time, provide access to social security benefits.
The demand of the domestic workers is to treat them with respect, recognize their work, pay a decent wage and provide decent living conditions. There are currently 1250 domestic workers registered under the Nagaland Domestic Workers Union.
