Domestic workers seek minimum wage, better work conditions

Most of the women from hundreds of families resettled from river banks across Chennai made a living as domestic workers. These women are made to work long for a pittance, in harsh conditions and lack of livelihood security. To put an end to that and regulate their working conditions, a public meeting was held in Perumbakkam on Thursday afternoon. 

Sister Valarmathi, State coordinator, NDWM, Migrants Forum India, said that the public meeting was held ahead of the International Domestic Workers Day on June 16, a day where domestic workers around the world seek justice and fight for their rights. 

“During the public meeting, the main issue raised was the fixing of a minimum wage (Rs 75/ hour proposed by the domestic workers) by the state government, the failure of which is pushing many women to work in harsh conditions. 

The meeting also called for a state-level policy for domestic workers and national ratification of International Labour Organisation’s Convention 189 concerning decent work for domestic workers. With the violation of human rights being a huge challenge for persons working as domestic help, there is an urgent need to put in place a Workplace Violation Act,” added Sr Valarmathi. 

Another point that the domestic workers are pushing for is the increase in their pension. “One percent of the house tax should be channelled to the Domestic Workers Welfare Board, which can ensure better pension to these workers. While the cost of living has increased exponentially, the pension has remained the same – a paltry Rs 1,000 per month. We are demanding the increase in pension to at least half the salary or a fixed amount of Rs 3,000 per month,” added the NDWM representative. 

The public meeting was merely a prelude to the larger demonstration of domestic workers, which will be held on Saturday (June 16) at ValluvarKottam, agitating for better working conditions.