At a time when political parties are competing to recognise women’s contribution to housework, recognising scheme workers as workers with the right to fair wages, proper working conditions and social security can go a long way in changing the societal approach to women
Whatever the challenges, legislation on domestic work would surely help in redefining the power relations in the long run and will give some voice to the workers and their unions
The asymmetric relationship between employer and employee, where the workplace is the former’s private space and the latter’s workplace is an issue that makes the sector qualitatively different. Supreme Court order on law to regulate the sector offers some hope
The workplaces of domestic workers are homes of their employers, who have far more power and privilege. State apathy at regulating this sector is evident from the lack of specific laws to protect the rights of these workers
Neetha N. writes: Women moving from away from villages for economic and social mobility often end up without agency in urban areas. And with every incident of violence against them, there is a fresh wave of anxiety and fear in the minds of young women and their parents
Neetha N writes: Without any accountability for employers and lack of political will to improve working conditions, more such horrific accidents may happen.
