The Hindu : New Delhi News : NGO demands law to protect rights of domestic workers

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Friday, Mar 16, 2007
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New Delhi

NGO demands law to protect rights of domestic workers

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

"They cannot even lodge a complaint with the police against the employer"

NEW DELHI: When Suman (name changed) came to Delhi, she was assured that her employer would put her through a course in acupuncture and pay the fees. Three years later, she was rescued from her employer's house where she had been confined and made to work for no money.

She was never enrolled for the course, and when she asked for money her employers -- a senior bank official and his doctor wife -- asked her to pay them instead for giving her food and lodging.

Suman has not only been let down by her employers, law enforcement agencies too have not been of any help. "In the absence of a legislation to protect domestic workers over the age of 14, there is nothing Suman can do. She cannot even lodge a complaint with the police against the employer," said Ashok Agarwal, convenor of non-government organisation Social Jurist, who along with several other organisations is pressing the Government to bring in a law to protect the rights of domestic workers.

"Domestic workers, mostly young girls from economically unstable families, are not even covered by labour laws. They are left to fend for themselves; placement agencies and individuals are not accountable at the moment. Law enforcers can take action only if they worker is under 14 years, which again is difficult to prove," he said.

Concerned by the increasing numbers of domestic workers being physically and mentally abused, exploited and paid little or no money in return for backbreaking work, Social Jurist along with Nirmala Niketan, an organisation that works for securing the rights of domestic workers, has sought establishment of a regulatory Board that will have representatives from the National Commission for Women, the National Human Rights Commission and representatives of domestic workers.

"We have already put forth the demand for setting up of such a Board. We want all placement agencies and individuals who hire help to register with the Board and pay a small annual fee," said Lata, a functionary of Nirmala Niketan, adding, "The annual charges will be used for providing medical facilities and social security to the girls who are abused or are in need. Most importantly, the Board will bring in accountability in this unorganised but vast sector." It was mentioned that registration with the Board would be made mandatory and non-compliances would invoke punitive action.

"It's a small beginning. Once we have these girls registered with the Board, we can keep track of what happens to them. We can also take action if they are not allowed to go home or are not paid."

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