By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Labour Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Monday informed that the State government is likely to include domestic workers under the ambit of the Minimum Wage Act, thereby giving them access to all the benefits under the act.
“We are still preparing the cabinet memo and very soon, the domestic workers will also be included in the Minimum Wage Act,” Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh was addressing a gathering during the International Domestic Workers’ Day celebration organised by the North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement-Meghalaya Region (NERDWM) at Savio Hall in Laitumkhrah here on Monday.
Informing that the act will be applicable for all the domestic workers of the State, Lyngdoh said the government will hike the daily wages of the workers very soon where unskilled workers will get Rs 165 per day, Rs 170 for average worker, Rs 185 for workers with certificate from recognized institutions and Rs 200 for workers possessing skill development certificate.
“The workers will also have to get one-day rest in a week as per the law and there is a move to enroll the domestic workers under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme of India (ESIS) enabling them to get medical benefits once they are included in the Act,” the Labour Minister said.
On the demand of setting up a separate Welfare Board for the Domestic Workers, Lyngdoh said “We already have welfare measures in this State and domestic workers will be enrolled in the welfare centres once they are recognized.”
Lyngdoh also said that the government is looking forward to examine the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention C189 concerning decent work for domestic workers adopted at Geneva on June 16, 2011 during the 100th ILC session.
“We will include some of the recommendations of the ILO conference and the applicable articles mentioned therein, to ensure that the rights of every domestic worker are protected and secured,” Lyngdoh added.
While encouraging the domestic workers to approach the government for help and support, Lyngdoh however, said “As much as you demand from the government to address your grievances, you should also be able to deliver your services in a better way.”
Maintaining that there are many workers who are migrants from neighbouring states and country like Bangladesh, the Labour Minister cautioned the migrant workers to acquire their legal documents to prove their identity.
“Everybody has the right to work in this democratic country, but this right comes with a set of rules and regulations which are required to be followed and since migration is a well-talked about topic in the state currently, therefore it is very important for the migrant workers to possess their documents,” Lyngdoh asserted.
Later, Lyngdoh also launched the signature campaign organized by the NERDWM 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 ramification of 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.
The gathering was also attended by Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission Theilin Phanbuh, Deputy Labour Commissioner M Thabah and Animator of NERDWM Sr Wansuk Kyndait besides hundreds of domestic workers from all over the city.