HYDERABAD: The State Labour Department is launching an initiative in which domestic workers will have to register themselves with the department to avail the benefits of Minimum Wages Act 1948. Hence, as an employer, one will know where to find a genuine domestic help.

The department is initially looking at fixing their wages for minimum of three hours work and maximum of eight hours of work, after which it will form an exclusive welfare board for domestic workers.

"This board will also have members of organisations working with domestic workers like National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) who will take up the work of placing them," said Commissioner of Labour Karikal Valavan.

Benefits

The department has already submitted a draft for fixing wages to the State Government, which is under consideration.

The initiative will benefit domestic workers too as they can reap benefits of various social security schemes that include super annuation scheme, Janashree Bima Yojana run by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and a health scheme by Oriental Insurance Company (OIC).

"The implementing agency for the above schemes will be Andhra Pradesh Welfare Board.

The domestic workers will have to register with the board with a nominal fee of Rs.50, which will be renewed annually.

Apart from that they can pay premium for the above schemes to avail benefits," said Mr. Valavan.

"These workers will be provided training and identity cards for better service to prospective employers and to restrict their exploitation too. The services will include washing, cleaning, sweeping and other household tasks," said NDWM Regional Coordinator Lissy Joseph.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail