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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Cabinet must quickly approve national policy on domestic workers: NGOs, activists

Cabinet must quickly approve national policy on domestic workers: NGOs, activists

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published Published on Feb 21, 2014   modified Modified on Feb 21, 2014
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: The draft national policy on domestic workers, awaiting the Union Cabinet's nod, must be approved at the earliest. Activists and NGOs echoed this view at a panel discussion on Wednesday.

"A national policy is the first step towards ensuring rights for domestic workers. It is also the first step before legislation is enacted. But despite our persistent efforts, progress is so slow," said Varghese Theckanath, convenor, Domestic Workers Forum of India.

Activists felt that a national policy could set the basic digits for rights and entitlements on the subject. "Though the policy will not mean any legal rights, it could set various discussions around legislation within a framework. I also think it is one step forward towards ratifying the ILO convention," said Neetha N, senior fellow, Centre for Women's Development Studies.

India supported the ILO convention on domestic work in 2011 but is yet to ratify it.

In 2009, the union ministry of labour and employment constituted a task force on domestic workers. In 2011, the task force submitted a draft national policy for consideration. Since then the draft policy has been passed around for consultation and feedback from different states. Now with the Congress-led UPA government on its last leg, most activists are doubtful if the final word on the policy will be taken.

"What I gathered from people following it up is that there are reservations among members and the likelihood of the policy getting passed before (the 16th Lok Sabha) election is bleak," said Neetha.

Experts also voiced their concern over the role of placement agencies and highlighted their need to be regulated. "However, there are ethical placement agencies too which need to be identified. Some such agencies are already doing good work in industrial housekeeping," said Bharti Birla, national project co-ordinator, ILO.

According to an ILO document, "domestic work refers to work performed in and for a household in an employment relationship. The work may include cleaning, cooking, washing and ironing, taking care of children, elderly or sick members of a family as well as household pets, gardening, guarding the house and driving for the family. Domestic workers include full or part-time employees." Labour Bureau's Employment and Unemployment survey 2009-10 estimates 10 million domestic workers in India.

In India, only seven states (Karnataka, AP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Rajasthan and Odisha) have notified minimum wages for domestic workers.

The discussion was organised by Inclusive Media for Change, CSDS.


The Times of India, 19 February, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cabinet-must-quickly-approve-national-policy-on-domestic-workers-NGOs-activists/articleshow/30686827.cms


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