In brief
A recent report highlights the ongoing exploitation of domestic workers in India, particularly among marginalized communities. Legal frameworks are lacking, despite recommendations for protection, leaving many workers reliant on the goodwill of their employers. Activists call for systemic change to address the invisibility and vulnerabilities of this workforce.
Smitha, a long-serving domestic worker in Delhi, recalls a painful incident where she was publicly beaten by her employer, accused of theft. After being mistreated for years, Smitha’s plight reflects a broader issue faced by millions of domestic helpers in India, particularly marginalized women from lower castes. With no comprehensive legal protection or support, domestic workers often endure exploitation and violence in silence.Recent concerns expressed by India's Supreme Court about the treatment of domestic workers have prompted discussions about potential legislation. However, this is not the first attempt at creating protective laws. Various proposals aimed at regulating domestic work and improving conditions have been sidelined, leaving workers exposed and vulnerable. Sonia George of the Self Employed Women's Association (Sewa) emphasizes that while a comprehensive policy was drafted in 2019, it has yet to see implementation due to successive government negligence.Currently, India's estimated 4.75 million domestic workers live without a formal employment framework, forcing them to rely on their employers for basic rights like fair wages or even basic respect. The absence of contracts makes it challenging for workers to advocate for themselves, a fact supported by Professor Neetha N of the Centre for Women's Development Studies. With domestic work falling outside recognized labor laws, workers often find themselves without basic social protections.While some Indian states have mandated minimum wages specifically for domestic workers, many remain unaware of these protections, as they lack appropriate vehicle for awareness. The invisibility of domestic workers complicates efforts to build a support system. This issue is exacerbated by deeply-rooted caste biases that affect the nature of domestic work, perpetuating a status quo that impedes regulatory changes.Despite ratifying key international agreements like ILO's Convention 189 in spirit, India continues to fall short on implementation, missing an opportunity to ensure considerable rights for domestic workers. Activists argue that for any meaningful change to take place, a shift in mindset among lawmakers—many of whom are also employers—is crucial. Transformative progress in this under-regulated sector lies in recognizing the essential skills of domestic work and confronting the outdated notions of servitude that sustain exploitation. Though the wealthy Hinduja family recently faced legal consequences for mistreating domestic workers abroad, such high-profile cases are rare. With structural reforms still out of reach, activists continue to campaign for the visibility and respect that domestic workers deserve, urging a redefinition of their role within society.
