‘Need of the hour is solidarity for the cause of domestic workers’
National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) – Nagaland Region in collaboration with Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) and All Nagaland Domestic Workers Union (ANDWU) joined the rest of the world in commemorating the “international domestic workers day” (IDWD) under the theme “making decent work a reality beyond COVID-19 for domestic workers” on Wednesday at ACID hall.
Speaking at the programme, NDWM Nagaland region coordinator, Sr. Pramila Lobo said that June 16 marked the 10th anniversary of Adoption of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189 decent work for domestic workers, which recognises the significant contribution domestic workers make to the global economy.
Sr. Pramila Lobo stated that the convention was of the greatest gift that the world could offer to its 100 million workers, however, she said that the convention adopted by ILC 2011 would bring no changes if it was not ratified by the government of India.
“The need of the hour therefore is solidarity for the cause of domestic workers”, she maintained.
During the programme, the gathered domestic workers put forward the following demands from the government: that the GOI ratify C189 on decent work for domestic workers and enact: comprehensive legislation for domestic workers; that the labour department register all domestic workers; provide Rs.10000 a month compensation for loss of work; prioritise vaccination for domestic workers; employers honour your responsibility to your domestic worker.
They also demanded from the state government on 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 employers provide contract for domestic workers.
They demanded that the employer: treat domestic workers with respect; recognise their work; pay decent wage; guarantee sufficient rest; provide decent working condition; weekly off, paid holidays and sick leave demands.
The domestic workers demanded that the public: recognise domestic workers as workers, domestic work as work; support them in their cry; give justice, right and dignity and to call them by name.
Earlier, some of the domestic workers also expressed grievances such as no pay, no job, travelling being a problem though employers call them for work, house rent, school fees, large families to be fed, etc.
NVCO: Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) observed IDWD in Kohima.
According to DIPR report, NVCO stated that domestic workers were among the workers the most affected by the pandemic and their contribution to households have been immense, even while the pandemic had threatened their livelihood.
It said that they were among the most vulnerable groups of workers and with an estimated 67.1 million people employed in domestic work around the world, most of them were women.
NVCO said that their works were “undervalued and least regulated forms of employment” with experiences of exploitation and abuse.
“The use of children as domestic servants continues to be common in parts of the world including Nagaland state” and they are very vulnerable to exploitation and physical violence, it added.
Marking the event, NVCO president, Kezhokhoto Savi said that on June 16, 2011, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted a landmark treaty, the convention on decent work for domestic workers.
He said that it required countries to guarantee domestic workers the same rights as other workers and since the adoption of ILO convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers, many countries around the world have worked to improve their protection.
However, even while celebrating the 10th anniversary, domestic workers are still fighting for equality and decent working conditions and demand to be recognised as “domestic worker” and not as “maid” or “helper” or “servant”, Kezhokhoto Savi said.