Domestic workers seek solidarity in fight for equality, decent work

Participants during the International Domestic Workers Day event organised by NDWM – Nagaland Region in collaboration with ACID and ANDWU in Dimapur on June 16.

Participants during the International Domestic Workers Day event organised by NDWM – Nagaland Region in collaboration with ACID and ANDWU in Dimapur on June 16.

Dimapur, June 16 (MExN): A decade ago, the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) was regarded as a breakthrough for domestic workers around the world. However, ten years on domestic workers still fight for equality and decent work.

Addressing the International Domestic Workers Day event in Dimapur, Sr Pramila Lobo UFS, coordinator of National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) – Nagaland Region highlighted the significance of the day; struggles faced by domestic workers, concerns to be met and also demands from the state as well as the central government.

Under the theme ‘making decent work a reality beyond COVID-19 for domestic workers,’ the event was organised by NDWM – Nagaland Region in collaboration with Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) and All Nagaland Domestic Workers Union (ANDWU) at ACID hall, Dimapur. 

According to Sr Pramila, the Convention adopted by the ILC 2011 will bring no changes to domestic workers in the country if it is not ratified by the government. The need of the hour is solidarity for the cause of domestic workers, she said. 

“Therefore, dear domestic workers we have gathered together that we will fight till we get what is belong to us. Not the cash, kind or any other things but our recognition as workers, rights, respect, dignity and the labour standards for safety,” she affirmed. 
Sr Pramila expressed ‘whether we need ten long years to give due recognition to workers, while in fact, they (domestic workers) manage two homes.’

“When the domestic workers serve in someone’s house, the employer’s house becomes their office. It requires that the domestic work of the workers become decent. More than all other employees the domestic workers are always punctual and faithful. If so, Then why such delay to recognize them as proper worker?” she asserted. 

Sr Pramila disclosed that in Dimapur alone there are almost reaching 2000 domestic workers both migrants and of the place. “Without the workers can there be clean home/office? Can the children go to school on time or the officers go to office on time or the families get food on time? When you call, who will come to help you except the worker? Then why can’t they be recognized domestic workers as workers. Surely, they too contribute to the economy of the country,” she put across. 

“This COVID-19 pandemic has exposed continued vulnerability of domestic workers in the labour market,” she added. 

“In celebrating this day we recognize their great contribution for the home and the society. We need to accept them as workers not as helpers or servants or like our own son or daughter or cousins. We need to pay them just and decent wage, give weekly off, safety and security at the work place,” Sr Pramila said while making a call to “fight together. It is not impossible but challenging.”

During the event, the domestic workers also expressed grievances like no pay, no job, inconvenience for travelling when employers call them for work, house rent, school fees, large family to be fed, health issues. The participants were given awareness on the COVID-19 pandemic and safety measures to be followed. 

‘Call us by name’

Dimapur, June 16 (MExN): The domestic workers gathered during the commemoration of International Domestic Workers Day 2021 in Dimapur has appealed to the general public to “call them by name.” They appealed to “recognize domestic workers as workers, domestic work as work, Support them in their cry and give justice, right and dignity.”

To the employers, the domestic workers have requested to treat domestic workers with respect; recognize their work; pay decent wage; guarantee sufficient rest; provide decent working condition; and weekly off, paid holidays, sick leave. 

Meanwhile, reiterating their ongoing demand, the domestic workers have also placed demands to the Nagaland Government for recognition of domestic workers as workers; protection against all types of harassment; social security and access to benefits; inclusion of domestic workers in schedule of employment and thus entitled to minimum wages; and the employers provide contract for domestic workers. 

Further, it appealed to the Government of India to ratify C189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and enact the following: comprehensive legislation for domestic workers; that the labour department register all domestic workers; provide Rs 10000 a month compensation for loss of work; prioritize vaccination for domestic workers; employers honour your responsibility to your domestic worker.