The Urgent Need for a National Law to Protect India's Domestic Workers
India has an estimated 4 million to 90 million domestic workers, predominantly women from marginalized communities, who lack adequate legal protections. Despite a Supreme Court directive to enact comprehensive legislation, progress remains slow. The article advocates for a national law that ensures minimum wages, social security, and protection against harassment. While states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have made some strides through welfare boards and specific bills, implementation remains a challenge. The absence of a central framework leaves these workers vulnerable to exploitation by placement agencies and employers, atomizing them into unregulated workspaces.
Key Points
- Domestic workers are often excluded from standard labor laws, making workplace inspections nearly impossible.
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 (2011) aims to protect domestic workers, but India has yet to ratify it.
- Proposed legislation includes mandatory registration, written contracts, and contributions to a welfare fund.
- The Supreme Court has linked the rights of domestic workers to the prevention of trafficking and forced labor.
Exam Facts
- Estimated 4-90 million domestic workers in India.
- ILO Convention No. 189.
- Tamil Nadu Manual Worker Act, 1982.
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