As the world commemorates International Domestic Workers Day on 16 th of June , the voices of countless women mainly who keep our homes running smoothly are slowly rising from the shadows into the spotlight. This year’s focus theme ,“From the Shadow to the Spotlight: Valuing Domestic Workers’ Contributions,” resonates strongly in the context of Nagaland, where domestic work remains largely informal, undervalued, and often invisible.
Every year on June 16th, the world observes International Domestic Workers’ Day, a day to honor the millions of individuals who quietly sustain our homes and enable our families to flourish. These workers are often invisible in policy and public discourse, yet their contributions enable us to pursue education, employment, and other opportunities.
Domestic workers in Nagaland—many of whom are women and migrants from within the state or neighbouring regions—play a vital role in the functioning of households. They clean, cook, care for children and the elderly, and offer emotional support in ways that are deeply personal and irreplaceable. Yet, they often do so without formal recognition, legal protection, or adequate wages.
The Unseen Backbone of Urban Families
In urban centres like Dimapur and Kohima, the demand for domestic workers has grown over the years. With more families having both parents employed or engaged in business, domestic help is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Still, many of these workers face long hours, lack of rest days, and inconsistent pay. Few are enrolled in social security schemes or protected under formal contracts.
A recent local survey indicates that most domestic workers in Nagaland earn well below the minimum wage. Many also report experiencing discrimination, lack of respect, and vulnerability to exploitation due to their low status and absence of legal safeguards.
A Time for Recognition and Reform
International Domestic Workers Day, celebrated annually on June 16, marks the adoption of the ILO Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers in 2011. Although India is yet to ratify the convention, this day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to recognise and uplift the domestic workforce.
In Nagaland, some civil society groups specially Assisi Centre for Integrated Development and faith-based organisations are advocating for the rights and dignity of domestic workers. Initiatives to organise domestic workers into collectives, offer skill development, and promote fair employment practices are slowly gaining ground. However, much more remains to be done.
Sr. Pramila Lobo, director of the Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), which works closely with domestic and informal workers in Dimapur, says:
“Domestic workers deserve more than sympathy—they deserve dignity, fair wages, and protection under the law. Their work is essential for our lives to function, yet they are often overlooked. It’s time we acknowledge their contributions openly.”
Moving from the Margins to the Mainstream
The theme “From the Shadow to the Spotlight” urges both government and society to reflect on their role in ensuring that domestic workers are no longer seen as invisible hands, but as individuals with rights, dreams, and families of their own. Policymakers in Nagaland must consider state-level legislation or inclusion in existing labour schemes to ensure decent work conditions and social security for domestic workers.
Households, too, have a role to play. Respect, fair pay, regular holidays, and humane treatment can go a long way in restoring dignity to the lives of domestic workers.
As Nagaland observes International Domestic Workers Day, let us shine a light on those who have long been in the shadows. Let this be a call to action—for justice, recognition, and celebration of the tireless contributions of domestic workers to our homes, our communities, and our state. As we celebrate the International Domestic Workers Day we need to celebrate their persons for all the contributions that they make. Silent heroines behind the four walls. Come let us celebrate their contribution and work together to make it realise all that they deserve.
Sr. Pramila Ufs
Medical psychiatric social work and LLB
Wednesday, July 16, 2025