(Left) Subonenba Longkumer, Project Director CECS and Nodal Director Childline, and (Right) Domestic workers enacting a play during the one day workshop held under the theme “Decent Work for Domestic Workers (Women & Child)” at Assisi Hall (Naga Cemetery), Dimapur. (Morung Photos)
Dimapur, September 14 (MExN): One day workshop was held under the theme “Decent Work for Domestic Workers (Women & Child)” at Assisi Hall (Naga Cemetery), Dimapur today. National Domestic Workers’ Movement Nagaland chapter and Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) jointly organized the workshop. The workshop laid emphasis on the International Labour Organization Convention (ILO) held at Geneva in its 10th session on June 1, 2011 which adopted certain proposals with regard to decent work for domestic workers, and determined that these proposals shall take the form of a ‘Recommendation’ supplementing the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 adopted on June 16, 2011which may be cited as the Domestic Workers’ Recommendation, 2011.
Therese, coordinator, NDWM stated that the convention defines domestic work as work performed in or for a household(s). Stating that this act is a milestone in the history of domestic workers worldwide, Therese said that the convention also recognizes the significant contribution domestic workers make to the global economy and affirms that they have the same basis labour rights as thus available to other works like reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 hour, a limit on in kind payment, clear information on terms and conditions of employment etc. Appealing for solidarity for the cause of domestic workers, Therese said that the need of the hour is to create awareness amongst the people, and to encourage domestic workers to raise their rights and supplement towards acceptance of the Domestic Workers Recommendation by the government of India.
Thungdeno, a victim of abuse, harassment and violence as a domestic worker gave her testimony to the gathering. Also, Sunny Kikon from NDWM highlighted and explained to the domestic workers on “ILO Convention on Decent Work”. Participants at the workshop were representatives from Labour Department, NLCP, Miqlat Ministry, Human Rights Law Network and media.
Therese, coordinator, NDWM stated that the convention defines domestic work as work performed in or for a household(s). Stating that this act is a milestone in the history of domestic workers worldwide, Therese said that the convention also recognizes the significant contribution domestic workers make to the global economy and affirms that they have the same basis labour rights as thus available to other works like reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 hour, a limit on in kind payment, clear information on terms and conditions of employment etc. Appealing for solidarity for the cause of domestic workers, Therese said that the need of the hour is to create awareness amongst the people, and to encourage domestic workers to raise their rights and supplement towards acceptance of the Domestic Workers Recommendation by the government of India.
Thungdeno, a victim of abuse, harassment and violence as a domestic worker gave her testimony to the gathering. Also, Sunny Kikon from NDWM highlighted and explained to the domestic workers on “ILO Convention on Decent Work”. Participants at the workshop were representatives from Labour Department, NLCP, Miqlat Ministry, Human Rights Law Network and media.
A glimpse of Child Labour scenario in Nagaland
Subonenba Longkumer, Project Director CECS and Nodal Director Childline Dimapur, presented an overview of the Child Labour scenario in Nagaland. He stated that out of 1112 houses surveyed, there were 264 domestic child labour found in one colony. The survey also revealed that majority of the workers were from tribes of Konyak at 30%, different tribes from Tuensang area at 22%, Ao- 11%, Adivasi- 11%, Nepali-9%, and others- 17%. Another research taken by Labour Department showed that the age group of migrant and trafficked children at 6-10 years is at 21.2 %, 11-14 years at 73.5%, 15-18 yrs at 3%, and unknown 1.3 %. Meanwhile, the number of years worked at one household was 1-2 years at 60%, 3-5 years at 30%, 6-above at 10%.
Suponenba also shared that these children if at all they attended schools, 36.8% were enrolled at Government Schools and 5% at Private Schools while 58.2% were not even attending Schools.
He also said that it was a rule that children should be allowed to work only for six hours a day, (interval times included) but working hours of children were found to be 4 to 5 hours at 18.2, 6 to 7 hours at 29.8, 8 to 10 hours at 28.5, 11 and above at 23.5.
“This is the reality of what is happening in Dimapur and Nagaland,” he said. The survey also revealed that the reasons for leaving home were cited as: Education- 40.4%, work- 58.3 % and others-1%. The statistics also revealed that 47.4% of domestic child laborers were sent home and 52.6% were not. Also, out of the 264 children, 142 % of the employers were government servants, 22 % from Business sector, 25 % retired, 54 % private, 1 % pastor, 1% chairman, and others-19%. Future plans: Yes-13% and No-87%.
Subonenba also cited that domestic child labours gave the following as problems faced: Long hours of work, no time to study or caged inside home and compound, limited food and regular leftovers, long distance to school, always blamed for what is not done, no one to share their feeling and problems. Reasons for children sent to work or choosing work as domestic workers were stated as: poverty, illiterate parents, high school dropout rate, poor infrastructure, large number of family members, and ignorance by parents of needs of child, absenteeism and lack of teachers in government schools.
Suponenba also shared that these children if at all they attended schools, 36.8% were enrolled at Government Schools and 5% at Private Schools while 58.2% were not even attending Schools.
He also said that it was a rule that children should be allowed to work only for six hours a day, (interval times included) but working hours of children were found to be 4 to 5 hours at 18.2, 6 to 7 hours at 29.8, 8 to 10 hours at 28.5, 11 and above at 23.5.
“This is the reality of what is happening in Dimapur and Nagaland,” he said. The survey also revealed that the reasons for leaving home were cited as: Education- 40.4%, work- 58.3 % and others-1%. The statistics also revealed that 47.4% of domestic child laborers were sent home and 52.6% were not. Also, out of the 264 children, 142 % of the employers were government servants, 22 % from Business sector, 25 % retired, 54 % private, 1 % pastor, 1% chairman, and others-19%. Future plans: Yes-13% and No-87%.
Subonenba also cited that domestic child labours gave the following as problems faced: Long hours of work, no time to study or caged inside home and compound, limited food and regular leftovers, long distance to school, always blamed for what is not done, no one to share their feeling and problems. Reasons for children sent to work or choosing work as domestic workers were stated as: poverty, illiterate parents, high school dropout rate, poor infrastructure, large number of family members, and ignorance by parents of needs of child, absenteeism and lack of teachers in government schools.
