It is essential to discuss domestic workers and their struggle to access rights. Some conversations need to hit a chord. However, we usually fail to address these issues.
“I was forced to ignore harassment in my workplace because I needed to continue working and earning.“
“I stayed silent because I needed to support my family.” or “I said nothing because I didn’t know what to do.“
This unsettling reality resonates with many domestic workers who endure workplace abuse in silence. Working in isolation makes them particularly vulnerable to harassment, with no one to witness or intervene. Even worse, countless women domestic workers find themselves in jobs that openly defy labour laws. It traps them in abusive situations resembling modern-day slavery.
Gender-based violence impacts many women domestic workers worldwide, often putting their physical and mental well-being at severe risk. Moreover, many domestic workers remain unaware of their rights or available support resources, leaving them uncertain about how to seek help or address the abuse they face.
The vulnerability of domestic workers
Domestic workers are essential to the care economy, providing services like cleaning, cooking, childcare, and caring for the elderly or sick. They may be full-time or part-time employees, working for a single household or through a service provider. Some live with their employers as live-in workers, while others live separately as live-out workers.
Out of 75.6 million domestic workers worldwide, 76.2% are women, making domestic work a major source of employment for women. However, domestic workers aren’t always seen as “real” workers and experience discrimination, particularly against women from marginalised groups, such as migrants and Dalits.
Domestic workers and their struggle to access rights: The legal side
Legal contracts between domestic workers and employers are rare, leaving many workers with undefined terms and conditions, long working hours, and no access to minimum wage, legal protections, or social security. Around 81% of domestic workers are in informal employment, meaning they don’t have official contracts or legal protections like other workers do. This rate is twice as high as the level of informal employment seen in other sectors.
In addition to this lack of job security, domestic workers often face challenging working conditions. They earn only 56% of what other workers make on average. Moreover, unlike other employees, domestic workers are more likely to work either excessively long hours or very short, irregular hours, making their work schedules unpredictable and exhausting.
Domestic workers in India: What the data shows
Government data reports 28 million domestic and household workers registered in India as of July 2023. However, the actual number may be twice as high, as many domestic workers remain unregistered. The National Domestic Workers Movement, a Mumbai-based advocacy group, puts the figure at over 50 million, with two-thirds working in urban areas.
Over the last decade, 75% of the increase in the domestic workforce is because of underprivileged women and girls entering domestic work. In India, women domestic workers are not considered valuable or productive for the country’s economy, as if their jobs are just a duty they owe to society rather than paid labour. For years, people have called them “domestic helpers” instead of recognising them as actual workers.
A study by Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing, a global research group, shows that domestic work is the lowest-paying job among informal sectors in India. Despite this, women and children make up 80% of the domestic work industry. In addition, at least 200,000 children work as domestic help, especially in restaurants and roadside eateries like dhabas. It shows how the domestic work sector relies heavily on vulnerable groups, who often have fewer job opportunities and are forced into low-paying and unprotected work.
Caste, class, and power imbalances in domestic work
Domestic workers often come from marginalised groups. A study in Bangalore found that 75% of domestic workers belonged to Scheduled Castes. Many women from poor rural families migrate to cities in search of work as domestic workers to support their families.
The large gap in wealth and social status between domestic workers and their employers creates an uneven balance of power. For example, domestic workers, who are often from poor backgrounds, may feel pressured to accept unfair treatment because their employers have more money and social influence. Caste and class can also affect how workers are treated.
Domestic workers and their struggle to access rights: Illiteracy and distance from the unions
Illiteracy and lack of awareness make the situation even worse for domestic workers. Many workers may not fully understand their rights or the terms of their employment. Without education, they struggle to read contracts or legal documents, and they may not know where to seek help if they face abuse or exploitation.
Many domestic workers are migrants who live with their employers, which means they don’t have easy access to trade unions or community groups that could help them learn about their rights. These workers often miss out on support from organisations that fight for fair treatment. Trade unions and collective action are critical ways for domestic workers to voice their concerns and improve their working conditions. Still, because they don’t have the same connections as other workers, they often don’t have these resources available to them.
Domestic workers and their struggle to access rights: How we can make a difference
In 2008, the Unorganised Worker’s Security Act (UWSA) was introduced to give social security benefits to domestic workers (DWs), including healthcare through the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna. However, many domestic workers are unaware of these benefits because they don’t have access to information or support.
In 2010, DWs were included under the Minimum Wages Act, but only ten states adopted this law, and lack of enforcement has kept wages from improving. The 2013 Sexual Harassment Act also aimed to protect DWs. However, only 161 out of 655 districts have set up complaint committees. It leaves most workers with no way to report issues. Without proper support, DWs remain unaware of their rights and unable to get help.
The e-Shram portal aims to register 38 crore unorganised workers in India. However, what is the point if the targeted group remains unaware of it? This situation must change, and at Changeincontent, we believe the solution lies in collaboration. By uniting government bodies, NGOs, unions, and private and civil society organisations, we can create a better outreach, support, and training system for domestic workers.
The Changeincontent perspective
At Changeincontent.com, we are committed to empowering women. We are advocating for ways to equip them with the resources and opportunities needed to enhance their independence and decision-making power. Our goal is to connect with more than 100 organisations in one year. We aim to impact the lives of at least 1 lakh women across India, regardless of their field of work.
References:
- International Labour Organisation: Who are domestic workers
- Observer Research Foundation: Empowering domestic workers in urban India
- Informal Workers in India: A Statistical Profile
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
