K. Ela
Prodigals’ Home
The demands made by Domestic Workers of Nagaland as a part of the movement with NDWM India ( National Domestic Workers Movement -Nagaland Region ) as highlighted in the local media ( 16th /18th June 2018) has to be seriously looked into by the Govt of Nagaland. This is not just about the domestic workers rights and entitlements; this is an issue which has manifold implications. Look at this from different perspectives. This is also about rights and duties of the employer, about employers family’s safety and security and about effective service delivery along with appropriate payment like any other recognised and dignified work. This is also about creating a huge avenue for livelihood and income generation/employment and promoting dignity of labour and work culture as lessons learned from other advanced states and countries. To cite an example, the need for trained and efficient domestic workers will increase with increasing working mothers/career women/working parents etc. The need for domestic workers will continue to increase for many other reasons as well in this modern society with the change of times and situations of the homes/ families. This is an inevitable fact we have to accept and do the right thing by the Govt of Nagaland and by all of us . Need of the hour is to have proper laws and regulations by appropriate authority ( as demanded by the NDWM-N) for benefit and security of both employees and also the employers , towards a just and humane society. Besides the issues of concern of adult domestic workers , the rampant and disturbing exploitation of poor child domestic helps (servants/slave like conditions) in thousands of homes across Nagaland will eventually be prevented/ controlled if Govt of Nagaland listen to the desperate voices of its citizens and do needful at the right time. If the Govt takes the appropriate steps as per the laws of the land as demanded by time and situation, here are some positive expected outcomes . It will :
1. Stop exploitation of poor voiceless helpless labour force ,women and children in particular
2. Stop the practice of illegal engagement of Child Domestic labour
3. Promote the Right to Education of all children, particularly the poor children from remote villages and districts who have been deprived so far of this basic right in spite of various laws and acts passed by the Govt.
4. Help ‘ Youth in Need’ take up part time/full time earning opportunities as recognised and dignified domestic workers ( like elsewhere in the country and outside) for their own expenses without depending on parents and guardians all the time. Revive dignity of labour among youth in particular if given due recognition and given the label of ‘ dignified work ‘ and do away with negative connotations/misconceptions of ‘ servants/mini/kancha/slaves ‘. Do away with culture of laziness and craze for superficial easy ‘do nothing/eko nakorie’ lives. Learn to earn decently with dignity and stop being big time parasites to their parents/guardians , society and state .
5. Promote capacity building through imparting basic training to those potential/interested part time/full times/live in workers on skills they may need to be effective service deliverers like any other professionals. Training like basics of housekeeping, cooking, child care, care giving/attending to elderly and sick patients, communication skills, etc on need based basis. Training of such workers can be done by proper registered agency which can certify for relevant categories of domestic work for their employers.
6. Employers and employees will have proper standard guidelines. As such, mutual benefit, respect and security is ensured for both .
7. Regulate Employment for domestic work ( part time/full time /live in ) through a registered Placement agency
8. Effectively prevent and address the issues of exploitation of all kinds , theft and robbery, misbehaviour, run-away cases, poor payment, poor service, etc . Problems faced by families/homes engaging domestic workers will also be addressed accordingly.
9. Give dignity and recognition to domestic work and domestic workers which will go a long way in addressing many social problems arising out of this issue in the home and society as a whole
10. Give dignity and justice as workers not as mere helpers or slaves of their malik/owner.
Rich or poor, educated or illiterate, men or women, children or adults ; work is work. Every worker must get their due payment, their due respect and recognition for the work they do. This right must be protected by the Govt through proper legislations and the same to be uphold and respected by all right thinking citizens.
