‘Govt. ignoring genuine rights of domestic workers equal to corruption’
[caption id="attachment_189692" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Ajongba Imchen addressing the International Domestic Workers Day programme on Saturday at the Assisi auditorium in Dimapur.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, June 16: Domestic workers, the neglected lot in the society converged to commemorate a day dedicated for them, the International Domestic Workers Day on Sat. June 16, turned out to be more of fight against discrimination they face at their workplace and their decade fight for recognition of the Nagaland Domestic Workers Union as a trade union in the state.
Confounded by the indifference attitude of the state government towards the union’s demand, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Ajongba Imchen, who is also the secretary of the Dimapur District Legal Service Authority (DDLSA) secretary, questioned why the govt. was not recognising the union.
Imchen was addressing the occasion as the speaker which was commemorated with the theme “Uniting for domestic workers rights,” organised by the National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) in collaboration with the DDLSA at Assisi auditorium in Dimapur.
The chief judicial magistrate pointed out that unless the government recognises the Nagaland Domestic Workers Union as a trade union, they cannot fight for their rights lawfully.
Pointing out that there are hundreds of organisations, most of which are ‘useless,’ Imchen said the govt. ignoring the genuine rights of domestic workers is equal to corruption. Adding to this, he said ‘any issue in Nagaland last only for 24-hours.’
Assuring free assistance from the DDLSA with the Dimapur court to domestic workers, Imchen acknowledged the union as the most genuine organisation. He was optimistic that the state governor will take cognizance of their issue.
“90% of the office-goers in the state are able to enjoy their job comfortably because of the domestic workers who work behind the closed doors doing household chores. As the office-goer work at their respective workplace likewise the employers should recognise domestic work as work”, Imchen underlined.
Informing that till date no cases from domestic workers have been reported, the chief judicial magistrate observed that it is because of lack of legal awareness.
As a pressure group that belong to a section who need protection and help, Imchen assured the domestic workers of free legal services and protection from the DDLSA who are committed.
There are 1750 members registered under the NDWM and Nagaland Domestic Workers Union who are fighting for recognition of their work at the household and domestic work. The NDWM wants the govt. to address the key issues like fixing minimum wages, registering of Nagaland Domestic Workers Union under Trade Union Act.
