A comprehensive legislation for 3 crore domestic workers in India demanded by NPDW
An estimated number of about 30 million people are engaged in domestic work in the country, who form a critical part of the workforce in the informal sector. Around 80% of these workers are women drawn from the most vulnerable social and economic groups, as per a press release issued on Saturday (June 14).
Varghese Theckanath, member of NPDW national core team and Sister Lissy Joseph, Telangana convenor and others said that India has not adopted a legislation to protect the rights or welfare of domestic workers.
Citing a Supreme Court judgement dated January 29, 2025 which directed the Ministry of Labour and Employment in tandem with three other Ministries to jointly constitute a committee comprising subject experts to consider the desirability of recommending a legal framework for the benefit, protection, and regulation of the rights of domestic workers.
'It will be appreciated if the Committee submits a report within a period of six months, whereupon the Government of India may consider the necessity of introducing a legal framework which may effectively address the cause and concern of domestic workers,' as per the judgement.
NPDW members said that despite the directive, no substantial steps were taken by the Central Government to initiate the legislative process.
Protest in Hyderabad
Domestic workers from four districts convened at the Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad on Monday (June 16) to voice their concerns and press for a mechanism to resolve them. Sister Lissy said that women raised issues like salaries withheld or withdrawn by contractors, unfair wages, atrocities faced, a lack of labour rights and social protection like health insurance. 'If the Telangana government forms a welfare board, the domestic workers can lodge their grievances,' said Sister Lissy. There are over 11 lakh domestic workers in the State.
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