Domestic helps want fixed minimum wage, welfare board

SHILLONG: Members of several domestic workers’ associations in the city organised a meeting attended by Labour Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and other leaders and bureaucrats on Tuesday over regulation of domestic work.
The members — under the umbrella of North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement in collaboration with All Meghalaya Domestic Workers’ Union (AMDWU) and Ferrando Domestic Workers Alliance (FDWA) — said domestic work needs to be included in the list of scheduled employments as per the notification under the Minimum Wages Act 1948.
They also demanded that a minimum wage be fixed and a welfare board be set up. The groups said central and state governments should take effective and appropriate measures to ensure that domestic workers are able to exercise their labour rights.
“Such measures may include legislative inclusions. This will enable domestic workers to receive treatment that is not less favourable than what other workers generally benefit under laws and legislations,” they added.
Lyngdoh said, “With regard to fixation of minimum wages for domestic workers, if other states has already taken the initiative to scheduled domestic workers under the Minimum Wage Act and fixed wages, then we can also look into the matter and do the needful.”
MLA Jemino Mawthoh said appropriate implementation mechanisms should be developed at the state level to ensure protection and security to domestic workers and also to facilitate decent working conditions.
Angela Rangad, social activist of TUR, said it is mandatory that the State Government regularly revise the minimum wages, not less than once a year.
Rally in city
The North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement will take out a rally on June 16 from Madan Malki to Aurobindo Hall on Bomfyle Road to commemorate the Domestic Workers’ Day.