Domestic helps demand fixed minimum wages in Nagaland

Kohima: On International Domestic Workers Day on Friday, three organisations working for them demanded that Nagaland government fix the salary of domestic workers and take appropriate action for their protection.

The organisations — Ferrando Domestic Workers Alliance, Centre for Development Initiative and National Domestic Workers Movement-Nagaland — also sought their inclusion in welfare schemes.

They submitted a petition with other demands like a welfare board for domestic helps to the state government after holding a conference on the plight of domestic workers.

Usha Devi, who works as a domestic help in Kohima, said in the conference that domestic workers worked hard every day but their wage was paltry.

“It is difficult to sustain with Rs 2500 a month and that too was not paid in a timely manner,” she said.

Domestic helps should be treated equally with other workers in the unorganised sector, she said adding that a fixed rate of salary was required so that “we also can lead a respectful life”.

Advisor to Nagaland Chief Minister for Labour Employment and Skill Development, Dr T M Lotha, said that there was no comprehensive, uniformly applicable, national legislation for domestic workers/help that guarantees fair terms of employment and decent working conditions for . (PTI)