SHILLONG: The domestic workers of the state under the banner of the All Meghalaya Domestic Workers’ Union (AMDWU) have sought the intervention of the state government for fixation of wages besides creation of a domestic workers’ welfare board in the state.
The Union has also approached the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma on the matter.
Talking to newsmen here on Friday, AMDWU joint secretary Wanpynhun Kharsyntiew said the chief minister Conrad K Sangma had assured the delegation that the government would ensure domestic workers in the state are given their rights.
“He (CM) also urged us to submit our suggestions so that the matter can be discussed in the cabinet,” she said while informing that the union had also submitted the proposed amount to be paid by the employers to the different categories of workers besides coming up with a “wages card”.
As per the recommended rates fixed by the domestic workers themselves, there would be three kinds of workers – part-time, full-time and live-in (those staying in the house of the employers).
Kharsyntiew said the monthly wages for part-timers, (those working for an hour) wherein their job profiles are either – washing clothes, washing utensils, cleaning the house, gardening and marketing, the fixed rate is Rs 1800 per month.
While for those cooking and doing school duty the rate is Rs 2000 for per month. She said that baby-sitting and caring for the aged entails a full-time job and therefore their wages has been fixed at Rs 8000 per month.
