Nagpur: More than 500 domestic workers and volunteers on Tuesday protested before the legislative assembly house in Nagpur, central India, against government apathy toward their security and rights.
A delegation met Maharashtra Labor Minister Praksh Mehta and submitted a memorandum listing the domestic workers demands.
“Our demand is that domestic workers should get the rights according to the International Labour Organisation Convention number 189, which gives domestic workers the same rights as other workers,” Gyanesh Patil, a member of the Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Association, said while addressing the protesters.
Patil, who is based in Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra state, said they want “our country to ratify this law that ensures and guarantees the rights of domestic workers.”
Maharashtra legislative assembly has two wings – one in Mumbai and another in Nagpur, the state’s winter capital.
The protesters came from Nagpur district and their leaders said they are angry at the government’s lack of concern and failure to heed their demands for security and rights.
They also took out a rally from downtown Mangalwari Bazar and proceeded to Liberty Cinema Square, raising slogans demanding their rights.
Their demands also include wage fixation, leave facilities, dispute resolution, health insurance, provident fund and pension of 3,000 rupees a month.
Other demands are abolition of the age limit for registering domestic workers, setting up workers welfare board, child care and housing.
Sister Deann, in-charge of Nagpur Domestic Workers Movement in Nagpur district, said that the protest aimed to create awareness among the public and the government authorities about the working conditions of the domestic workers.
National Domestic Workers and Mumbai Domestic Welfare Association work in 10 districts of Maharashtra for domestic workers.
The Maharashtra Union works in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Raigarh, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nagpur and Ahmednagar.
The organization registered their workers and are advocating for their rights. The association has registered more than 215,000 workers.