Time to Stop Seeing Domestic Workers as COVID-19 'Carriers'

Sr Pramila Lobo UFS
NDWM- Nagaland Region 

COVID-19 crisis brings a great impact on the lives of millions of marginalised unorganised workers and among that one section is often left out of the discourse (even when talking about the informal sector) is that of domestic workers whom we always neglect and take for granted. Their work is often low paid, insecure and invisible. The irony is that in domestic work sector large number of working class is women or young girls , and in India we consider and bypass expressing , seeing or telling that domestic work like sweeping, cleaning, cooking, taking care of the children or elderly, washing, mobbing is the work of lady or a young girl. Because of this issue we ignore their struggles, pains and they have to manage two house s the home of their and the house of their employer. 

In India, women are inevitably involved in some kind of productive or reproductive work but much of their work is invisible and they are largely employed in low skilled, low paid informal sectors with little or no social security. The invisible and uncountable workforce is domestic workers. They are not brought under any labour rights. As we see now they have become more vulnerable than before. As domestic workers gradually re-enter the lives of the middle and upper classes, it is a moment for reflection on the conversation around the work of care, domestic work and class privilege that was amplified during the lockdown period. While the virus and pandemic remain a threat to us all, it has also exposed the fault-lines in our society very starkly. Class, gender, and privilege have shaped how each ones  experiences the pandemic. 

We foresee a long journey towards the crisis recovery and feel legal protection for domestic workers. We see the need for an alternative economic and livelihood initiatives that can secure domestic workers income and livelihood. So that they are something in the times of crisis. The main problem for the economic crisis for the domestic workers is that many have lost their job which is the only source of livelihood. Their pay is withheld, some delayed, no work, large family, their spouse is daily wage earners , mental trauma, increased domestic violence and some even face sexual harassment, no mercy from the house owner forced to pay house rent, sickness, strict village rules during lockdown. Who will bridge the gap? Its only we who are their employers can show little extra sympathy and empathy, don’t tell them that they are the carriers of the covid 19 virus. Let us have behavioural changes and aspects. Let us give what is belong to them, they are workers in our homes, treat them like workers.Let us remember that our homes are their office, let us be generous enough to give what is belong to them. 

We have witnessed the terrible effects on migrant workers and others specially the domestic workers in the informal sector. If we look here in Dimapur many are migrants either within the state or outside the state. They cannot go back to their homes and search some alternative.  Constantly in being touch with them either directly or through staff or the group leaders. Their problems daily increase rather than decrease.  

Most domestic workers were not able to work in the 5 months  period of the lockdown. While people were exhorted to pay their workers during the period, the truth is that many were not paid, were unable to manage rent payment or even get enough food. Those who work for their rights, justice, dignity we cannot help them alone if we all collectively help them. 

First and foremost, we must stop looking at them as the carriers of disease. In fact, the virus  was first brought into the country by those who travelled internationally.  This is not a disease only of the poor. Secondly, domestic workers are equally vulnerable to getting the virus from people in the homes that they work, as they will need to move about many different homes. 

It therefore makes more sense to recognise that staying well is a common goal. These women also have children and elderly in their homes and need to stay well and work.  Therefore, this should be seen as a joint struggle against the spread of the virus. 

One can only hope that being involved in the work of care and cleaning over these past five months of lockdown may have brought about some recognition of its value in households where we engage a domestic worker to help us. 

They are workers and should have all the rights of workers as defined by our laws. Unfortunately, they fall within the large informal sector where nearly 90% of Indian workers are located. Therefore, they do not have any recourse to law for safety, payment or welfare. Therefore, we urge the government   to amend the existing labour laws to ensure domestic workers enjoy all the labour Rights, bring them under schedule of employment thus entitle the minimum wages.  Give them social security, think of their welfare.