N Kampong Konyak
Aboi Town
Condemnation alone will not solve the growing problem of rape, molestation, and physical assault against domestic helpers. At best, public condemnation may help secure justice in a few cases that come to light. However, countless other cases remain unreported and are buried without investigation, accountability, or justice.
When domestic helpers are required to live with their employers, they inevitably become vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, including sexual abuse, harassment, and physical violence. The private nature of household employment often makes detection difficult and reporting even more challenging. This persistent social evil requires serious study and a comprehensive policy response. In my view, the legislative route offers the most effective and sustainable solution.
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly should consider enacting a law that specifically criminalizes the keeping of in-house domestic helpers. Such legislation could play a significant role in addressing the root causes of exploitation and abuse. While making the practice of keeping live-in domestic helpers a criminal offence, the law may permit the hiring of domestic workers on an hourly basis, subject to prescribed age and labour standards.
Under such a system, domestic workers could provide services to multiple households during the day and return to their own homes or rented accommodations afterward. This arrangement would allow them to maintain their personal freedom, family life, privacy, and dignity. At the same time, the Government could establish minimum hourly wages to ensure that domestic workers earn a decent livelihood and enjoy an acceptable standard of living.
It is worth noting that several civil society organizations in Nagaland have already passed resolutions discouraging or banning the practice of keeping, sending, or facilitating children as in-house domestic helpers. While these initiatives are commendable, their effectiveness remains limited because such resolutions do not carry the force of law. Enforcement is often inconsistent and dependent on voluntary compliance. In contrast, legislation enacted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly would have legal authority and could be enforced uniformly through the police, courts, and administrative machinery across the state.
The introduction of an hourly-based domestic work system could also generate wider economic benefits. It would not only provide employment opportunities for existing domestic workers but also create part-time jobs for students, competitive examination aspirants, and educated unemployed youth. Such opportunities could help many individuals earn income to support their education and daily expenses. At the same time, the legitimate demand for domestic assistance among elite and upper-middle-class households would continue to be met in a regulated and transparent manner.
Furthermore, criminalizing live-in domestic labour would reinforce the state's commitment to protecting human dignity, women's rights, children's rights, and labour rights. It would send a clear message that no individual should be placed in circumstances that expose them to heightened risks of exploitation and abuse.
Therefore, it is never too late to reassess our approach and adopt more effective measures. The time has come for Nagaland to seriously consider a legislative solution that addresses this issue once and for all. A well-crafted law, supported by effective enforcement and public awareness, can help build a safer, more dignified, and more just society for all.
.JPG)
