NDWM-Nagaland Region observed the National Demand day for the Domestic Workers at Lake View, ACID Office hall on March 23.
Dimapur, March 23 (MExN): The NDWM-Nagaland Region observed the National Demand day for domestic workers at Lake View, ACID Office hall on March 23.
Highlighting the problems faced by domestic workers in Nagaland, the organisers stated that many of them are migrants belonging to Bengal, Bihar, Nepal, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Mizoram and the indigenous domestic workers mostly from the Eastern Nagaland region and a few other tribes. “The domestic workers are looked down upon and treated as mere a servant that is why many Naga domestic workers do not like to say openly that they are domestic workers. Secondly, Nagas don’t get domestic works due to demand of high wage whereas migrants are easily accepted by the employers because they are willing to work for cheaper rate. Non-local employers prefer mostly non-local workers whereas local employers accept any domestic workers without discrimination,” Sr Pramila Lobo UFS, NDWM Nagaland Region Coordinator stated in a press release.
Among many serious issues the domestic workers have to confront on almost daily basis, Sr Pramila said that some are: they are denied of fair wage and minimum wages because in Nagaland Domestic Workers are not enrolled under the schedule of employment and Minimum wages Act even today; there is no specific contract based work, working hours, wage leave facilities, medical benefit and rest time, all these benefits totally depends upon on mercy of employers; they are usually the victims of suspicion. If anything is missing in the house they are accused with threats, physical violence, police conviction and even dismissal from the work.
“The very sad part of it all is that the government of Nagaland failed to recognize domestic worker as workers. Unless and until the comprehensive registration for domestic worker is constituted that domestic worker who are our sisters, aunties and mothers on whose sweat and blood we survive will continue to face grim reality,” she said.
The NDWM-Nagaland Region therefore demanded the Government of India Ratify ILO C 189; Enact National comprehensive Legislation for Domestic Workers; Enact (Nagaland) State Legislation for Domestic Workers; Enrol domestic workers in the schedule of employment and thus, entitling them to minimum wages act.
The challenges of the domestic workers in Nagaland are gaining public acceptance that is Domestic workers are workers, domestic work is work; Implementations of labor laws such as minimum wages and regularized working hours; domestic work is not guided by clear and agreed production or output goals. Enforcing labor laws remains a significant task; and Recognition from the policymakers, legislative bodies and people in general that domestic workers are workers, domestic work as work.
She reiterated that this is not the first time we NDWM Nagaland Region are approaching the policy makers on behalf of the domestic workers of the state and the country as part of the National Platform for Domestic Workers (NPDW).
