Around 500 domestic workers from across the city gathered at Valluvarkottam on Monday, demanding dignity, respect and decent wages. The workers highlighted the need to to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention C 189 concerning decent workplace for domestic workers.
“There are thousands of workers who slog long hours with very little pay. But still, there is no State or Central legislation prescribing minimum wages. We want the State to fix their wages at ₹75 per hour, and announce it before Deepavali festival,” said Josephine Valarmathi from the National Domestic Workers Movement.
Pension, house tax
Apart from demanding minimum wage, workers and activists also listed out a set of guidelines that would protect their interests. They demanded that 1% of house tax be allotted to the Domestic Workers Welfare Board, on purchase of a house, and that the workers be provided with a monthly pension of ₹3000.
This is the second time this year the domestic workers have rallied for minimum wages. On the seventh International Domestic Workers Day, which is held in June, the workers raised similar demands.
“We hold several rallies and send many pleas highlighting their plight, every year and month. But they are yet to be heard,” said Ms. Valarmathi. “India is home to the largest number of domestic workers in the world, but they are not brought under the labour laws of the country. Given their number and conditions of work, they need to be protected under a special Act. The Centre has not even taken adequate measures to protect the many impoverished women immigrants working abroad. We need the government to intervene and help their cause,” she demanded.