core sector communique

Recognition of Domestic Workers as Skilled Labour

Domestic workers and their organisations do assemble to articulate their demands from time to time. However, exact number participating in such assemblies is not known. The Government is aware of the problems of the workers including domestic workers. The domestic work falls under the purview of State Sphere. The State Governments are empowered to enact legislations for domestic workers. However, various labour laws, like the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Employees Compensation Act, 1923, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and Inter-State Migrant Workmen (RECS) Act, 1979 are directly or indirectly applicable to these workers. The Central Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 for social security and welfare of unorganized workers which includes domestic workers. The Government has set-up a Task Force to evolve a policy framework for domestic workers. The Task Force has, inter-alia, recommended adoption of National Policy for Domestic Workers. The Policy is under consideration of the Government. The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.