Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 4
The All Nagaland Domestic Workers’ Union (ANDWU) has demanded that the Nagaland Government recognize domestic workers and include domestic works in the Schedule of Employment of Minimum Wages Act (Nagaland).
The demands were made during a press conference organized by the National Domestic Workers’ Movement – Nagaland Region in collaboration with ANDWU at Assisi Centre for Integrated Development, Dimapur on Tuesday. The domestic workers also demanded zero tolerance on gender based violence for domestic workers.
They also appealed the employers to treat them with respect, recognize their works, pay decent wage and provide weekly off, paid holidays besides extending possible support in availing new schemes.
Sr. Pramila Lobo of ANDWU who presented a study on Socio-economic Conditions of the Domestic Workers stressed on the urgent need to recognize to recognize the economic and social contributions of domestic workers. She said the study was conducted among 1900 domestic workers registered in Dimapur district to understand the socio economic background of women domestic workers including their living conditions, work related problems, wage and recognition.
Abuse
The problems faced by domestics workers in their workplace (homes) include verbal and physical abuse, late payments, reduction of wages, sexual harassment, forced to work when sick etc.
Age Group
As per the study, 72 % of the respondents fall between the age group of 35-59 while 22% fell between 9-20 years and 6% came under 60 years and above.
Origin
Further, 58% of the total respondents were migrants from Assam, Manipur, Tripura, UP, Bihar and West Bengal. The remaining 42% comprised of local residents and indigenous migrants.
Literacy
25% of the respondents did not have any formal education not knowing how to read or write their names while 29% had completed Class 4. Those who completed Class 8 comprised of 35% while 7% of the total respondents had educational qualifications ranging from Class 8-10. Only 4% of the 1900 workers interviewed had completed higher secondary education. Sr. Pramila remarked that the literacy level of women remained lower than men in all societies owing to various socio-economic and cultural factors. “This makes them to choose domestic work,” she added.
Accommodation
8% of the total domestic workers were provided free room at the employer’s property while 40% of them live on land tax and the remaining 52% live in rented house near slum areas. The study found that most of the domestic workers live in unhygienic places like near train tracks, dumping grounds, stagnated and water-clogged areas below flyovers.
Income
The monthly income of 48% of the respondents came below Rs 3000/- while 38% were getting between Rs 3001-Rs 6000/-. Those who were getting Rs 6001-Rs 9000 comprised of 10% and a mere 4% were getting Rs 9001 and above.
While most of the domestic workers are paid on daily basis, 6% get below Rs 50 on that basis and 42% get between Rs 51-100 and 39% are get between Rs 101-150 per day. Only 13% get above Rs 150. Daily wage differed from employers to employers as per their wishes. The reason behind this, the study said, was that domestic workers are not enrolled in the schedule of employment and therefore they are not entitled for minimum wages.
Working Hours
The study found that 37% of domestic workers work in the afternoon; 31% in the morning; and 32% worked in the evening. Those who worked 5-8 hours per day comprised of 37%, 0-4 hours comprised of 32% and 31% of them, mostly live-in, worked for more than nine hours a day. The percentage of live-in domestic workers was low since it was difficult to identify and register them owing to lack of recognition and due to absence of specific laws. “Thus, they remain invisible to the outside society,” Sr. Pramila remarked.
The study also found that 89% of the respondents worked on weekends while 6% work sometimes and only 5% do not work on weekends. It was stated that the weekend working percentage was higher owing to two reasons; either the domestic worker is the only bread earner of her family or payment of wage is less.
