By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Though they contribute much to the country and family’s economy, the presence of domestic workers goes unseen, unheard and unnoticed by the public yet remaining behind the doors.
As a mark of respect to the domestic workers across the world, the International Domestic Workers’ Day is being observed on June 16 to honour the domestic workers globally for their contribution to the society.
Coincidently, this day is also observed to hold in the highest regard to the adoption of Convention C189 ‘Convention concerning decent work for domestic workers’ adopted at Geneva on June 16, 2011 during the 100th ILC session.
With a view to mark this day in solidarity with the rest of the country, the North Eastern Regional Workers’ Movement (NERDWM) Meghalaya region will be observing the International Domestic Workers’ Day on June 17 at 1pm in Savio Hall, Dhankheti.
On this occasion, the NERDWM will organise a signature campaign with a purpose to voice out their demands for ramification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention on ‘Decent Work for Domestic workers’.
The NERDWM hoped that this convention will bring back the dignity of domestic workers and domestic work, giving them visibility and recognition for the contribution they make to many families and the society as a whole.
Mentionably, the ILO Convention adopted at Geneva on June 16, 2011 during the 100th ILC session called upon adoption of certain proposals concerning the decent work for domestic workers which included-recognition of the significant contribution of domestic workers to the global economy, which includes increasing paid job opportunities for women and men workers with family responsibilities and considering that domestic work continues to be undervalued and invisible and is mainly carried out in women and girls, many of whom are migrants or members of disadvantaged communities and who are particularly vulnerable to discrimination in respect of conditions of employment and of work, and to other abuses of human rights.
This convention which applies to all domestic workers also placed upon the need to recognize the special conditions under which domestic work is carried out that make it desirable to supplement the general standards with standards specific to domestic workers so as to enable them to enjoy their rights fully.