Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Domestic workers urge Modi to protect their rights

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jul 31 2018 | 9:00 PM IST

A delegation of domestic workers today submitted a memorandum to the PMO seeking a Central law to protect their rights.

Hundreds of workers had earlier gathered at Jantar Mantar, the 18th century observatory in the heart of the national capital to press for the demand.

As the crowd began their march towards Parliament, the police stopped them en route. A delegation of workers then headed to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Supporting the protesters, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said there was an urgent need for a Domestic Workers Welfare Bill.

"There is no law governing their pay, recruitment and working condition. They don't have a right to stand up for themselves or bargain," Tharoor said in his address to the protesters.

"I had introduced a Domestic Workers Bill in 2016 seeking minimum wages, bargaining rights, decent working conditions for the domestic workers including a mandatory day off," he added.

More From This Section

Domestic workers must be treated with respect and any kind of exploitation will be a violation of law, he added.

As part of a campaign by the All India Unorganised Workers Congress (AIUWC), over 20,000 domestic workers from across India had earlier sent postcards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the law.

AIUWC Chairman Arbind Singh said the government was keen on bringing a national policy for the workers which wasn't a good idea.

"We need a law to ensure decent working conditions, fixed working hours and a provision for minimum wages. We do not want a policy," he said.

Anurag Shanker, chairman, Delhi Pradesh Unorganised Workers Congress elaborated and said that a policy may or may not be followed by a state.

"If a policy is implemented, some states will adopt it and some will not", said Shanker as he demanded the setting up of a domestic workers welfare board.

"We want something conclusive and positive. We have also submitted a draft law to the government but the government has not taken any action," Shankar added.

The domestic workers at the protest site rued that they were the most vulnerable section of the urban poor.

They sought from the Centre an Emergency Security Fund along with a provision to register themselves across the country.

Also Read

First Published: Jul 31 2018 | 9:00 PM IST

Next Story