Centre goes slow on national policy for domestic help

The Centre is unlikely to rush through bringing out a policy or law for domestic workers even as Rajasthan has fixed their minimum wages and set working hours to safeguard their basic rights.
It has decided to address issues related to pay of the unorganised workforce, including domestic help, through the Wages Code Bill, which will empower the central government to fix minimum wages for unskilled, skilled and semi-skilled workers across the country.
Under the current set-up, the Centre fixes minimum wages for organisations, departments or areas that come under its purview. All states can fix their own minimum wages.

Once the Bill is approved by Parliament, states will have to ensure payment of minimum wages fixed by the Centre under the Code.
The Bill has already been sent for Cabinet approval and will be pushed in the Budget session beginning later this month.
"We don't want to do anything which is detrimental to the interest of domestic workers. Whenever a law is introduced, there is rigidity. We want to take a cautious approach on the proposed national policy for domestic workers," a senior government official told PTI.

"The issue of minimum wages for domestic workers will be addressed under the Wage Code which has already been sent for Cabinet approval and the government intends to pass it in the Budget session."

On the status of a national policy for domestic workers, the official said: "Deliberations are on it. But a policy is not law. The major components of the policy will be achieved through the wage code, which includes minimum wages."
Besides, the Centre will provide social security to all organised workers, including domestic help, which is expected to address major components under the policy, he added.
Under the policy, the Centre has envisaged providing a minimum monthly wage of Rs 9,000 for skilled full-time households.
Its draft National Policy for Domestic Workers also provides safeguards against sexual harassment and bonded labour and recommends compulsory paid leave of 15 days a year and maternity leave.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan has fixed the minimum wage of Rs 5,642 per month for full-time skilled domestic help and set 8 hours as working hours for domestic help.
Beyond the set working hours, the employer will pay a double of the minimum fixed per hour.