Karnataka: Privacy issues hit Rs 2,000 aid for domestic helps

MYSURU: Domestic workers across the state, who are entitled to Rs 2,000 Covid relief announced by the government, are struggling to furnish proof of employment which is mandatory to get the assistance.
On the high court’s nudge, the government had stepped in to simplify the process, and allowed employers to certify helps. Employers, however, are required to give proof of their identity and most are reluctant to part with their Aadhaar number or PAN.
An estimated 10 lakh domestic workers are eligible for the Rs 2,000 one-time assistance from the state government. Many lost their jobs during the May-July lockdown and are only now eyeing a return to normalcy.
Labour minister Shivaram Hebbar defended the move, citing the HC’s intervention. Initially, the state government had asked domestic workers to get their proof of employment certified by a gazetted officer.
Employers should not be wary of sharing identity details: Labour chief
The process was delayed incessantly, forcing the domestic workers union to file a PIL. Chief justice Abhay Sreeniwas Oka, who presided over the case, summoned the labour secretary and directed the government to simplify the process.
Accordingly, the labour department issued an amended government order allowing domestic workers to get a proof of employment from any of their employers.
“First we were asked to apply for Rs 2,000 with the door number of the houses where we were working, along with the house owner’s name. Now, we are asked to get the signature of house owners with their Aadhaar number/PAN. A majority of the house owners are declining to sign and share the document,” said Bhagya S Pura, a domestic help from Mysuru.
Sandhya PS, Mysuru district committee member of the All India United Trade Union Centre, said house helps are struggling to convince employers.
State labour commissioner Akram Pasha said employers should not be wary of sharing identity details. “We use the ID numbers given by house owners only for verification If the house owners decline to share ID details citing privacy concerns, domestic helps can always take the help of gazetted officers or panchayat development officers for certification,” he said.