Latest news with #InternationalLabourOrganisationConvention
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Call for law to ensure rights of domestic workers
Confederation of Free Trade Unions of India (CFTUI) national president N. Kanaka Rao on Monday (June 16) demanded that the Centre enact a comprehensive law to ensure the rights of domestic workers such as minimum wages, social security and legal protection as per International Labour Organisation Convention no. 189. The CFTUI organised a meeting with domestic workers on the occasion of the 15th International Domestic Workers' Day here. Addressing the participants, Mr. Kanaka Rao said 43 countries have ratified this landmark agreement and expanded the rights of domestic workers, while 56 countries have implemented labour reforms to protect the rights of domestic workers owing to the tireless efforts of many trade unions and social organisations around the world. He explained that CFTUI represents the largest number of domestic workers among all trade unions in India. But, despite the adoption of the agreement, in the past 14 years, despite several struggles led by domestic workers' associations and social organisations, the Indian government has not framed any special law for domestic workers. Expressing concern at the plight of domestic workers in the informal sector of work in India, the CFTUI president said they were largely excluded from the ambit of labour laws. He said a division bench comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan had issued an order on the lack of legal protection for domestic workers in India. The court had said it was the Constitutional responsibility of the government to protect the oppressed classes. The bench had directed the Centre to constitute an expert committee comprising the departments of Labour and Employment, Social Justice and Empowerment, Women and Child Development and Law to examine the condition of domestic workers and recommend appropriate legislative measures. He said that the committee was supposed to submit its report within six months, but no action has been taken even after five months of the Supreme Court's order. On the occasion of International Domestic Workers' Day, he demanded that the Centre immediately frame a comprehensive national law for domestic workers.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia has made major strides in workers' welfare, Sim tells Apec
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has made significant progress in strengthening workers' welfare and labour rights over the past year, with the national unemployment rate dropping to a 10-year low of 3.1%, according to Steven Sim (pic). Speaking at the Apec Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Jeju, South Korea, the Human Resources Minister highlighted several key reforms, including a 13% increase in the national minimum wage and a 20% boost in social security benefits for workers. 'We have extended full social security protection, previously only enjoyed by our citizens, to foreign workers, legislated ILOC 155 (International Labour Organisation Convention) on occupational safety and health after 43 years, reduced previous restrictions on the setting up of labour unions and allocated up to RM10bil for various schemes related to education and training.' He noted that more women are now entering the workforce and homemakers are covered under social security insurance for care work at home. He said for the first time, the median wage surpassed the RM3,000 threshold, marking a major milestone for wage growth. 'These are very important progresses for us, simply because workers' well-being is a critical non-negotiable component in our government,' he added. Reflecting on the post-pandemic context, Sim said that the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the dual importance of life and livelihood, with the guiding principle that 'no one is safe until everyone is safe'. 'Our global faith is much more intertwined than some people would want us to believe. May I therefore suggest that this lesson forms the framework of our discussion, that workers' well-being is non-negotiable, and we can only do well if we work together,' he said. Sim also shared his intention to table a historic Gig Workers Bill in the next parliamentary meeting, which aims to provide better protection and recognition for workers in the gig economy. Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM, which is being held for the first time in 11 years. The last meeting took place in Vietnam in 2014. The ministerial meeting is part of the broader Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Conference and carries the theme 'Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work'.
