Formalise
domestic workforce to fix wages, benefits: study
Extract
from the article:
A recent study reveals the stark realities faced by domestic workers in
Maharashtra, highlighting their overwhelmingly female demographic.
Approximately 99% of the surveyed domestic help are women hailing from the
state itself, and a distressing 20% of these women are widows. These women
shoulder immense responsibilities, with 40% being the sole earners in their
families. The study also brings to light the paucity of skill development
opportunities for these workers — only 5% have received any form of training.
Yet, there is a palpable willingness to upskill, with 20% expressing an
interest in acquiring new skills.
The research unearths a grim potential exit route primarily
dictated by old age, suggesting a life of vulnerability and limited economic
mobility for domestic workers. The lack of formal mechanisms for training and
career advancement in this sector keeps these women trapped in a cycle of
precarious employment and economic uncertainty. Their contributions, though
crucial, remain undervalued both socially and economically, underscoring the
pressing need for systemic interventions.
My
Take:
A. Domestic
Workers Survey : a Seven Year Itch ?
Reflecting on my 2021 blog about the
inaugural All-India Survey on Domestic Workers, I realize just how pertinent it
remains in light of this latest Maharashtra study. Back then, I underscored the
significance of robust data collection to understand the socioeconomic fabric
of domestic workers, alongside the necessity to delineate their wages,
employment status, and living conditions.
What resonates deeply now is the persistent gap between data
collection efforts and tangible improvements on the ground. While surveys can
offer valuable insights, the fact that a mere 5% have received skill training
exposes a chasm between intention and implementation. My earlier reflections
about ‘left hand not knowing what right hand is doing’ strike a chord here —
it’s emblematic of systemic inertia where policies are initiated but fail to
translate into meaningful upskilling or empowerment initiatives. It’s a clarion
call for governments and NGOs to evolve beyond data collection and catalyze
concrete, skill-focused interventions that can gradually extricate these women
from economic precarity.
B. Domestic
Workers - Use and Abuse
Revisiting my 2011 discourse on domestic
workers, the historical context points to a longstanding neglect of this vast
workforce, which official estimates peg at 4.75 million but could, in reality,
be a staggering 20% of India’s total workforce. In that blog, I highlighted
vital protections championed by the International Labour Organization’s
convention — ranging from minimum wages to maternity protections and complaint
investigations.
The Maharashtra study’s findings, particularly the
prevalence of widows and sole earners trapped in low-skill jobs with scant
pathways for advancement, reaffirm that the promises embedded in those
international frameworks remain largely unfulfilled. The lack of training
opportunities contrasts sharply with the convention’s focus on social security
and protection measures. This reiterates that bridging policy frameworks and
ground realities is an ongoing battle. I had argued that economic empowerment
and job security have to be foundational — a sentiment that continues to echo
in today’s situation, urging renewed commitment and activism.
C. DEAR
SHRI BHUPENDER YADAVJI : A SMALL NOD FROM YOU WILL SAVE THOUSANDS OF CRORES OF
RUPEES
" Addressing the Labour and Employment
Minister directly, I once urged for swift government action to expedite the
domestic workers’ survey and translate its findings into actionable policy
measures. This appeal stemmed from the belief that the marginalization of
domestic workers is not only a humanitarian issue but also an economic imperative
— proper recognition and investment could potentially save thousands of crores
in social welfare and upliftment.
Reflecting on the current Maharashtra data, I’m reminded of
how critical ministerial nods and policy prioritization are for systemic
change. The willingness among 20% of women to seek skill training presents a
ripe opportunity — one that can’t be ignored any longer. The minister’s role is
pivotal to bridge the gap between survey insights and tangible initiatives,
including scalable skill development programs, social security schemes, and job
formalization processes. The reemergence of these issues underscores a vital
lesson — policy leadership paired with ground-level follow-through can spark
transformation in this largely invisible workforce.
Call
to Action:
To the Honourable Labour and Employment Minister, Shri Bhupender Yadavji — this
study on domestic workers from Maharashtra is a clarion call demanding
immediate policy attention. The glaring gaps in skill training and
socio-economic security for these women require an urgent, targeted
intervention. I urge the Ministry to expedite not only the completion of the
All-India Domestic Workers Survey but, crucially, to fast-track the creation
and implementation of comprehensive skill development schemes, social security
benefits, and empowerment programs tailored for domestic workers.
The fact that 40% of these women are sole earners and a
significant fraction are widows underlines the vulnerability and the moral
imperative to act. Your nod and stewardship can metamorphose data into dignity
and resilience, transforming the lives of millions and freeing them from the
cycle of precarity. Together, let us convert statistics into social justice for
the invisible backbone of countless Indian households.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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