State

Special Committee for Domestic Workers presented report to Labour Minister Gopal Rai

India bureaucracy

Special Committee for Domestic Workers presented report to Labour Minister Shri Gopal Rai  

  • The Committee has recommended various measures for welfare and betterment of working conditions of domestic workers in Delhi.

Delhi Labour Minister Shri  Gopal Rai had constituted a special Committee to suggest the welfare measures, including working conditions of Domestic Workers. This Committee is headed by Smt. Bandana Kumari,  Hon’ble Dy. Speaker Delhi Legislative Assembly and the Committee has members drawn from  International Labour Organization, Civil Society and various NGOs working in domestic sector and  senior officer from Labour Department. The Committee has finalised its report after deliberations in various meetings.

The Report of the Committee was presented today by Smt. Bandana Kumari, Chairperson of Committee to Labour Minister Sh. Gopal Rai. The Committee has recommended various measures for welfare and betterment of working conditions of domestic workers in Delhi.

The Committee has recommended that  the Government should take a considered decision for immediately formulating a Legislation and /or Rules/ Regulations for Domestic Workers which contain exhaustive provisions for working conditions, wages, and measures to improve the and social security measures and punitive measures for defaulting employers. The following significant social security and welfare measures and measures for improving working conditions of domestic workers have been suggested by the Committee:-

  1. Constitution of a State Social Security Board for Domestic workers and other  Workers under “The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act,2008” to provide welfare and  social security measures and measures to improve their working conditions.
  2. To initiate the process of enactment of a comprehensive legislation for Domestic Workers exclusively to regulate their employment,  conditions of work, rates of wages and to ensure social  security etc.

iii.             Identification and registration of domestic workers should be carried out so that a proper database may be created as provided under section 8 & 9 of the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008.

  1. To address the complaints of Domestic Workers relating to trafficking, violence, sexual harassment and abuse through the relevant Acts and Rules and Forums such as delhi Commission for Women and Child welfare Committees etc.
  2. Fixation of rates of wages:-

(a) The rates of wages for domestic workers should be fixed as per the Minimum Wages Act, which could be divided on hourly basis, keeping in view the no. of hours duty performed by them.

(b) For full time worker (24 hours), the minimum rates of wages fixed by the state government from time to time alongwith free lodging and boarding.

  1. Mode of payment of wages: – Only through bank account/ ECS.

vii.            Providing employment card/smart card for availing social security measures.

viii.            Providing weekly off, leaves, medical/maternity benefit and other social security measures such as insurance cover to domestic workers and their families.

  1. Setting up helpline/ counselling centre in each locality/ area which should be easily accessible to the domestic workers for redressal of their grievances.
  2. Registration/ Regulation of Placement Agencies with provisions of penalty for agencies defaulting on registration or other non compliance so that the Domestic workers are not harassed.

The Report has been sent to Secretary (Labour) for examining the same and submitting the proposals to the Government in this regard.