Bharat Jodo Yatra in Hyderabad: Pandemic-hit domestic workers, unions seek fair employment

On its ninth day in Telangana — the fifth and last southern state it has covered — the march is taking place in the Sangareddy district.

The Telangana leg of the march is scheduled to end on 7 November in the Kamareddy district.

‘Discrimination with domestic workers’

Representing the domestic workers, TDWU advisor Lissy Joseph told South First, “We raised the issue of ESI (Employees’ State Insurance) cards, a separate law in the Constitution for domestic workers, the withdrawal of new labour codes, dignity and safety at workplace, and a fair living wage.”

Domestic workers and unions at Bharat Jodo Yatra in Hyderabad. (Supplied)

She added that the ratification of the ILO Convention — which states that the measures to ensure that domestic workers enjoy fair terms of employment as well as decent working conditions — was also required.

“In all, 35 countries have ratified the convention, but none of them is from South Asia,” Lissy said. She, however, noted that the Philippines is one of the signatories.

She added that migrant domestic workers, when going to countries in the Middle East, live in substandard conditions.

“Indian workers are discriminated against and paid around $250 a month, which is discriminatory. Workers from the Philippines receive $400 a month for the same work,” said Lissy, who is also the founder of the pan-Indian Domestic Workers Movement.

It is the government’s responsibility to give them proper training and ensure their dignity. But the Central government is not paying any attention to this, and instead asks workers not to migrate. The government needs to pay 1 percent of the house tax to the ESI board so that they can contribute to the ESI card,” she added.

Domestic workers and unions at Bharat Jodo Yatra in Hyderabad. (Supplied)

She noted that something similar happens with women from tribal communities who come to cities to seek work.

Lissy recollected how the 2014 national policy on domestic workers was about to be implemented but wasn’t.

“As the policy was sent to state governments, some of them supported it while others did not. Also, due to the change of the Union government, it could not be implemented,” she said, adding that as a member of ILO, India has responsibilities towards domestic workers.

Hit by the pandemic

In an earlier interview, Bodasu Pavani, a domestic worker, spoke about the issues of social status and dignity of domestic workers, as well as working conditions after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I lost my job and was not even paid due to the lockdown,” Pavani from Prakash Nagar in the city told South First.

“We spoke to Rahul Gandhi (on 1 November in Hyderabad) about the need for a welfare board that would register all domestic workers and extends maternity, pensions benefits, ESI card, and Samajika Chatham (home as a workplace where all workers will be protected under various acts and schemes) housing facilities.”

Yatra enters Sangareddy district

The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered the Sangareddy district of Telangana on Thursday.

It is now scheduled for a break on Friday.

The yatra is scheduled to reach the Nanded city of Maharashtra on the night of 7 November.