Telangana State Gruhakarmikula Union (Domestic Workers Union of Telangana State) along with Domestic Workers’ Forum India (DWFI) will celebrate the International Domestc Workers’ Day on June 16 at Montfort Social Institute, Montfort Nagar, Church Colony, Uppal from 11 am.
Talking to the media here today, Varghese Theckanath, director, Montfort Social Institute, Rajamma Pasala, president, Gruhakarmikula Union, John Vattamattam, Archana, Domestic Workers Forum India said Prof. Kodandaram, TJAC Chairman, Bro. Varghese Theckanath, Director, MSI Sandhya, president, POW, Jeevan Kumar, HRF, Sajaua, CCC and a large number of domestic workers are participating in the program. They said June 16 is celebrated as the International Domestic Workers Day the world over. The day celebrates adoption of the convention 189 by the International Labour Organization in 2011, to protect the rights of domestic workers. India is a signatory to the Convention, but it is yet to ratify the same.
There are ten million domestic workers in India. They form the largest sector of women workers in the urban sector. They come from socially and economically backward communities such as Dalits, Adivasis, Backward classes and minorities. A study of the conditions of work of domestic workers undertaken by Montfort Social Institute in 11 towns in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh shows that 90% of the workers are not paid the minimum wage of Rs 6038 fixed by these governments. “Neither Welfare Board was constituted nor do they get a weekly day off or have paid leave, as other workers have”.
The demands of the workers are: Adoption of a comprehensive labour legislation on the rights of domestic workers, Constitution of Welfare Board for Domestic Workers in the State, Government of India Ratify ILO Convention 189, Ensure weekly holiday and paid leave for domestic workers, Ensure implementation of minimum wages, extend the benefits of ESI to domestic workers.
Gruhakarmikula Union Telangana State and Domestic Workers Forum India will launch a campaign all over the State to meet the demands, they added. (NSS)