Domestic workers requests Nagaland government to fix minimum wage, working hours

‘Minimum wage for domestic workers in Nagaland is INR 178 per day’

KOHIMA— Domestic workers on Friday requested the government of Nagaland to include them in the scheduled employment list and fix minimum wage based on the duration of working hours.

In the memorandum submitted to the chief minister of Nagaland on the occasion of International Domestic Workers’ Day, June 16, they also demanded segregation of wages as per the categories of work, that is, live-in domestic workers, part-time/live-out domestic workers, full-time domestic workers, and daily wage workers.

The domestic workers were represented by the Centre for Development Initiatives (CDI) and Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance (FDWA), Kohima.

Addressing price rise and inclusion of variable dearness allowance (VDA) or cost of living allowance should be considered while determining the minimum wages, it said, adding that the wage rates should be at least on par with “comparable work” and take into account the living needs of workers and their families.

Daily wages for different durations of work done in a day, and other details like normal eight hours of work per day, maximum working hours and minimum rest periods in a day should be specified, said the memorandum.

‘Mandatory weekly offs should be assured to all categories of domestic workers, which should be a minimum of 24 consecutive hours. Specify hourly wages or take into account the work intensification aspect of part-time workers. There should be definite directions or provisions in the legislation for overtime wages and detailing conditions of work which is especially important in the context of live-in workers,’ it added.

Labour department to examine memorandum

Zaremo Kikon, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kohima, said the Labour department will examine the memorandum submitted by the domestic workers on the occasion of International Domestic Workers’ Day and the state advisory board will accordingly give advice in this regard.

The domestic workers had submitted similar representations to the department earlier but there was some issue and confusion regarding the definition of domestic workers. The matter has been resolved and most of the officials have come to know the importance of including the section of the workers under the Schedule of Employment and fix a minimum wage, it was informed.

Expressing hope that the government will take the demands of the domestic workers more seriously this time, he said that the draft regarding unorganised workers and child labour is with the government for amendment.

‘Once the amendment is completed, lots of regulations will come about,’ he said.

Less pay for more work

As many as 2.90 lakh unorganised workers have registered with the Labour department, government of Nagaland, till May this year.

Kikon informed that the minimum wage for domestic workers in Nagaland is INR 178 per day, which is very low compared to other states in the country.

Domestic workers, despite their important role, are among the most exploited and abused workers in the world. They often work 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week for wages far below than what they deserve, he said.

‘They may be locked within their workplace and subject to physical and sexual violence. It is one of the most unregulated and undervalued activities in most of the countries. Although they provide essential services, domestic workers rarely have access to rights and protection,’ he added.

‘High time Nagaland make the move’

Bokali Kasho, Co-ordinator of CDI, asserted that domestic workers in Nagaland have the right to enjoy minimum wage coverage equivalent to that provided to the other workers.

‘Minimum wage recognises the economic and social contribution of domestic workers and it is key to ensuring the principle of equal pay for work of equal value,’ said the official.

‘The vast majority of live-in domestic workers work a minimum of 15 hours a day, seven days a week. Part-time workers often work in three to four different houses for nearly eight to 10 hours every day. They are excluded from minimum wage coverage and are among the lowest-paid workers,’ she added.

In Northeast India, the governments of Assam and Tripura have fixed minimum wages for domestic workers, she informed, adding that it is high time the state government do the same.

She said domestic workers form the third largest category of workers after agriculture and construction, constituting almost 50% of the women workforce worldwide. In India itself, there are 4.8 million domestic workers, among which three million are female. But this is considered a severe underestimation and the number can be more.

While pointing out that domestic workers are grossly underpaid across the world, Kasho said ‘they are not considered workers and their work is not accepted as dignified work although they largely contribute to the economy of the society, the county and the world at large’.

‘The majority of them are illiterate, minimally educated or not educated and low-skilled. They work in poor working conditions, are denied minimum wages, lack social security cover, physically abused and harassed, and vulnerable to exploitation,’ she added.

The occasion also saw Kevilenuo Veswuh, a member FDWA, sharing her experience, besides song and dance performances by the domestic workers.