Bangalore news: ‘Don’t use common areas,' society's circular on maids attracts social media's ire
2 min read 22 Jun 2023, 06:56 PM ISTThe society that the residents of the area feel 'uncomfortable when being surrounded by maids everywhere'
PremiumA society circular in Bengaluru on the activities of maids and other support staff has created a furore on social media platforms. The users of the platform are criticizing the circular which asks maids to not use common areas like “parks, amphitheater, gazebos" while waiting between their shifts. It added that the residents of the area feel “uncomfortable when being surrounded by maids everywhere."
The circular added that since the cooks, carpenters, and plumbers of the buildings sit on sofas in reception, the residents of the society have stopped sitting on them.
“Maids can use the waiting areas in all buildings to wait between jobs or eat their food. We do understand there may be breaks. Its difficult to see them hang out everywhere in the park, ampitheatre, gazebos. Residents can feel uncomfortable when being surrounded by maids everywhere we walk. Security is not able to monitor common areas. Cooks, carpenters, plumbers sit on the sofa at the building reception. Most of us have probably stopped sitting on the sofas by now," the circular said.
The circular sparked outrage on Twitter with people condemning the Residents' welfare association (RWA) of the society and accusing them of being “classist."
“Please name the society so that we know to avoid it? This RWA needs to be schooled on discrimination," another user said.
One user shared his account on how companies treat support staff differently. “In US cafeteria of my previous company, i saw janitors/other support staff sit, use, respected & serviced as a CEO would have. In cafeteria of my present company, I see cleaners/janitors stand and drink tea even when seats are free. Feudal/casteist undertones of our society," the user said.
“It's disheartening that despite relying on the hard work of maids, cooks, plumbers, and carpenters, some individuals still can't sit with them or acknowledge their presence. Let's strive for a society where everyone is treated with equality and respect," said another.