Domestic workers demand inclusion in Minimum Wages Act 1948

Dimapur, October 26: The Nagaland Domestic Workers Union has demanded inclusion of domestic workers in the scheduled and fixed minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act 1948 and also under Welfare and Social Security Act 2010. The union placed the demand before Governor PB Acharya through a memorandum on Wednesday citing that the Government of India protects the rights of domestic workers through a Comprehensive National Legislation for Domestic Workers. The Government of India also ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, the memo pointed out. The Governor had an interaction with Sr. Pramila Lobo, Director of Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) and the State coordinator of National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM)-Nagaland Region along with the staff and leaders of Nagaland Domestic Workers Union in Chumukedima Police House on Wednesday.Presenting an overview of the National Domestic Workers Movement, Sr. Pramila Lobo urged the members of Domestic Workers Union in Nagaland to fight for recognition, justice and empowerment. Presently, the union has 946 members belonging to 60 groups from different colonies in Dimapur district. She stated that since the Nagaland Domestic Workers Union is not yet registered, it is difficult for the domestic workers to avail different schemes. Grace Pamei, programme coordinator, stressed that there is an urgent need to fix minimum wages of domestic workers within Nagaland and to include them under employment schedule. She also spoke on the problems faced by the domestic workers. President of Nagaland Domestic Workers Union Nsungbeni Ezung and vice president Muni Devi on behalf of all 946 members expressed their grievances and shared their work experience to the Governor. The Governor assured to ask Parliamentary Secretary for Labour & Employment Mmhonlumo Kikon to put forward the demands of the domestic workers of Nagaland in the Assembly session. He also assured to sponsor 10 girl children under Beti Padhao Beti Bachao scheme for the domestic workers. The Governor appreciated the work done by the Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) for the cause of domestic workers in Nagaland.