National Policy for Domestic Workers

Labour ministry is planning a national policy to protect the interests of domestic workers and to guarantee them minimum wages and social security which has been pending for almost three years now.

National Policy for Domestic Workers

Discussions are underway regarding a national policy for domestic workers, including women with the aim to protect the domestic workers from abuse, harassment, violence and guarantee them rights in the matter of social security and minimum wages

What Does the Policy Say?

  • The policy includes social security cover and provisions against sexual harassment and bonded labour.
  • The policy proposes legal status to domestic workers.
  • It would facilitate recognition of part-time and full-time domestic help as “workers” .
  • It would enable them with the right to register with the state labour department.
  • It also plans to ensure minimum wages and equal remuneration to the domestic workers.
  • It provides a compulsory paid leave of 15 days in an year and maternity leave benefits to full-time domestic helps

Background: Previous Acts and Schemes to Support of Domestic Workers?

  • The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 is already in place to provide life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection to the unorganised workers.
  • The centre has recently converged the social security schemes of Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to provide life and disability coverage to the unorganised workers including domestic workers in the age group of 18 - 50, depending upon eligibility.
  • Central government run schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and National Family Benefit Scheme. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has schemes of maternity and health benefit PMJJBY gives coverage of ₹ 2 lakh on death at premium of ₹ 330 per annum and PMSBY gives ₹ 2 lakh coverage on accidental death besides disability benefits at premium of ₹ 12 per annum.
  • LIC implements these converged schemes. The annual premium is shared on 50: 50 basis by the Centre and State governments⟋state nodal agencies. The benefits of these schemes are also available to female domestic workers

Examrace Team at Jul 26, 2018