By Matters India Reporter

Chennai, November 30, 2019: The National Domestic Workers Federation (NDWF) reinforced its core message to advocate the rights of domestic workers for labor-friendly policies and national legislation for domestic workers.

This was one of the action plans which were taken during the NDWF’s 3rd national congress at Asha Nivas, Chennai, November 26-28.

Several resource persons addressed the gathering.

One of them was Ramapriya Gopalakrishnan, advocate in the Madras High Court.

She gave input sessions on the challenges for the working class in the present political scenario and strategy and methods to be adopted to advocate the rights of domestic workers with adverse labour policies.

Virgil D’Sami, a child rights activist, enlightened the participants with her session on “Domestic workers leaders as stakeholders to promote child rights and right to child participation.”

She is also the executive director of Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children, Chennai.

The outgoing Executive Committee members were honored with memento.

Around 92 persons including the delegates from 14 Unions, coordinators and union key persons from NDWM participated at the national congress, said Sister Rose Lima of Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM).

Hundreds of nuns from various congregations, who are trained social workers, lawyers and others, are working for the cause of domestic workers in different parts of India.

More than 56 delegates from 14 unions elected the new Executive Committee members of NDWF.

The estimated number of domestic workers in India is 90 million.

NDWM is a member of the International Domestic Workers Federation.

The NDWF was formed in 2013 consisting of eight Trade Unions at that time. Now it has 14 member Unions.

Prior to the formation of NDWF, it was known as National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) founded in 1985 for organizing domestic workers and promoting for their rights.

NDWF protects, ensures and promotes the rights of domestic workers and those working abroad through solidarity and participation.

NDWF’s objectives are to ensure equal rights for domestic workers like any other workers, about wages, social security, working conditions, health and other benefits.

It wants to establish a society where domestic work is duly recognized, domestic workers are respected for their contribution to society and their rights are upheld through legislative mechanisms leading to dignity of life and work.