By Matters India Reporter
Hyderabad, June 14, 2023: A domestic workers union in Telangana has demanded a comprehensive legislation for their people in the southcentral Indian state.
The demand was made June 14 by the Gruhakarmikula Union Telangana State (GUTS), at a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club. The domestic workers trade union has more than 10,000 members in Telangana.
The Montfort Social Institute, Working People’s Coalition, and National Platform for Domestic Workers also collaborated in organizing the press meet.
The members said it is time the state government, employers of domestic workers and civil society organizations took note of the domestic workers who continue to remain the most vulnerable of groups within the unorganized sector despite contributing much to the betterment of society.
Montfort Brother Varghese Theckanath, the secretary of Working People’s Coalition, says if the Telangana government would pass the comprehensive legislation for domestic workers, it would be the first in India. It would help recognize and protect the rights of domestic workers and safeguard them against violence and discrimination.
A majority of the domestic workers receive wages below minimum wage, work without any weekly off, face verbal abuse from employers, work without any job security. A comprehensive legislation is the immediate need of the hour, Brother Theckanath asserted.
Sister Lourdu Mary, the state Ccordinator of National Platform for Domestic Workers, said housing with dignity is an urgent need. She asserted that domestic workers cannot be evicted routinely and given residence outside the city but should be given residence within the city near their workplace.
GUTS secretary Manjula said the lack of social security is a major problem for the domestic workers. Currently, E-shram card only has one benefit – 200,000 rupees in case of accidental death. She demanded that domestic workers must be included in ESI (Employees State Insurace) and Provident Fund so they have health security and avoid out-of-pocket expenditure.
Manjula also said the use of detergent and dish wash chemicals has led to many domestic workers to fall ill. Many are at risk of serious health issues, she added.