National Policy for Domestic Workers

The Central Government has not   enacted any separate law to protect the interest of domestic workers. However, the Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering to formulate a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in the draft stage.   The salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers are as under:

(i) Inclusion of Domestic Workers in the existing legislations.
(ii) Domestic workers will have the right to register as unorganized   workers. Such registration will facilitate their access to rights & benefits.
(iii) Right to form their own associations/unions
(iv) Right to minimum wages, access to social security
(v) Right to enhance their skills
(vi) Protection of Domestic Workers from abuse and exploitation
(vii) Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals for grievance redressal
(viii) Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of private placement agencies.
(ix)  Establishment of a grievance redressal system for domestic workers.

The Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted for providing social security to all unorganized workers including domestic workers. The Act provides formulation of social security schemes viz life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits & old age protection. The State Governments are mandated under the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 to formulate suitable welfare schemes for the unorganized sector workers including domestic workers relating to provident fund, employment injury benefits housing, education schemes for children, skill up gradation of workers, financial assistance & old age homes.

The State Governments of Andhra Pradesh,  Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerela, Odisha, Rajasthan, Haryana,  Punjab, Tamilnadu and Tripura have  included domestic workers in the schedule of Minimum Wages Act and the Workers are also entitled to file  case before the concerned authorities in  case of grievance in this   regard. The matter of constitution of State Domestic Workers Board is under the jurisdiction of the State Governments.

This information was given by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.