Call for Action: Protecting India's Silent Workforce

On International Women's Day, Dhadak Kamgaar Union calls for legal protection for India's domestic workers, of whom 70% are women. Despite being a signatory to international guidelines, India lacks legal mandates, leaving these workers vulnerable to harassment and exploitation. Chief minister pledges to address the issue promptly.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 10: India's domestic worker sector, which employs over 4.5 million people with a workforce comprising 70% women, remains largely unprotected by law. As International Women's Day shines a spotlight on women's rights, the Dhadak Kamgaar Union highlights the precarious situation of these workers.

Union founder Abhijeet Rane met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to reactivate the Welfare Board for Domestic Workers. Despite India's alignment with a 2011 International Labour Organisation convention, specific legal protections remain absent, making this informal sector vulnerable to issues such as low wages and harassment.

Rane emphasized the need for legal safeguards, citing cases of abuse ranging from severe physical violence to sexual exploitation, and even restrictions on basic rights like using elevators. The Supreme Court, in January, urged the government to establish a committee for a legal framework, a call resonating with growing demands for reform.

(With inputs from agencies.)