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KOHIMA — Supervisor of Nagaland State Social Welfare Board, Juliana Medom, on Saturday, told the domestic workers to respect what they do and their workplaces, saying that their work is as dignified as any other work.
She was speaking during the inauguration of domestic workers' week in Kohima on the theme “Recognise decent work for domestic workers for their social protection and sustainable development”.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The 7-day event will culminate with International Domestic Workers Day on June 16, which is observed to celebrate the contributions of domestic workers and draws attention to their requirements.
Medom said that Nagaland is facing unemployment crisis because people do not look at jobs as decent work.
'Your work is not insignificant. You are earning something with honesty and dignity, and you have to respect what you do. Your work is contributing to the economy and is helping somebody else excel in their work,’ she told the gathering.
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Stressing on equipping oneself with skills in order to survive in life, she urged the domestic workers to enhance their proficiency, be it cooking or cleaning; and that trust and loyalty are very important, especially at their workplaces.
She also told them that it is important to fight for their rights but they should also not forget their duties.
There are 927 domestic workers and 209 children in domestic workplaces registered with the Ferrando Domestic Worker Alliance (FDWA) organisation in Kohima alone, said the FDWA coordinator Sister Rincy Kamei.
She said the organisation is faced with the daunting challenge of identifying domestic workers, as many of them are not willing to come out and register themselves, even though it is for their own benefit.
‘Most of the domestic workers are illiterate and come from vulnerable communities and backward areas. And a good number of them are migrants. Their works are undervalued, underpaid and poorly regulated. Lack of decent wages and working conditions, undefined work timing, false accusation, abuse, and sexual harassment at the workplace are some of their major issues,’ she said.
The organisation (FDWA) is deeply concerned about the situation of domestic workers who suffer silently, she said, adding that it envisages working towards achieving dignity, justice and solidarity for them at state, national and international levels.
TS Joysee, a domestic worker, said they faced so many challenges like underpaid wages and not getting work on daily wage prior to registering with the FDWA. But after registration, these things were taken care of and their working conditions too improved. Besides that, she said, they were provided with free training on making baskets and tailoring, enabling them to earn even when there is no work.
Member of Nagaland State Commission for Women, Kekhrinuo Meyase, who flagged off the Domestic Workers' Week, pointed out that India does not have strong legislation on domestic workers which is why they are always underpaid.
The fights of the domestic workers should not be only welfare-based but also rights-based because they are very vulnerable to exploitations, to the extent of sexual harassment, she said while assuring them to raise their issues and try to find the best possible solution by holding a consultative meeting with the governmental departments.
It was informed that the domestic workers in Kohima will engage in different activities throughout the week, till June 16.