SUPPORT DOMESTIC WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Hundreds of thousands of domestic workers across the country are now faced with either underemployment, or no employment at all due to the pandemic.

While the COVID-19 crisis has impacted all, some are left in a much more vulnerable state. Domestic workers are amongst the most affected during this pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of domestic workers across the country are now faced with either underemployment, or no employment at all.

After the lockdown, there are several reports that show that domestic workers’ wages were withheld, and the workers were discriminated against and stigmatised as spreaders of infection.  Domestic workers continue to be at high risk of contracting infection.
 
 

According to an ILO report of April (2020), estimates show that the economic crisis arising from COVID-19 and the government’s response to it is likely to further push almost 40 crore informal (unsecured) workers into absolute poverty. This estimate includes more than 200 million women employed as domestic workers. The actual numbers may be far worse due to (pre-existing) concerns in statistical accounting of unpaid, care workers.

While there was no specific announcement by the Government, those domestic workers who had Jan Dhan accounts got Rs 500 per month. Many domestic workers left the cities, and in their home states remain mostly confined to home finding it difficult to get suitable employment.

ActionAid Association is helping domestic workers who have been hit hard due to the pandemic, by providing them with immediate relief and support to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

Here are some of the steps taken by the ActionAid Association to support domestic workers till now:

• Relief distribution, including cash and food, in pockets where domestic workers live, across several metro cities including Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.
• Facilitating Government or any other relief support in slums and communities
• Facilitated safe transit of migrant workers, especially women migrant workers engaged in domestic work from the destination cities.
• In Uttar Pradesh, we are working closely with the state authorities for developing a mechanism to provide social security and protection to domestic workers.
• In Andhra Pradesh, we are working closely with the communities to submit their demands to the grievance cell of Government of Andhra Pradesh as they are unable to access government relief packages that are being provided to deal with the current crisis.
• Conducted a rapid assessment on impact of lockdown on wages and work in case of the domestic workers. The findings were used for sensitizing and reaching out to employers for supporting these workers.
• On the occasion of the International Day for Domestic Workers, 16th June, 2020, initiated a 4-day Webinar Series “COVID-19 and the World of Informal Work” which highlighted the challenges faced by domestic workers across the country. Recommendations were submitted to the National Human Rights Commission.
• Virtual press conference organized by Mysuru Domestic Workers Union, highlighting need for wage compensation during the lockdown period, minimum wages and enrolment of domestic workers under PF, ESI and pension.
• In addition, we are also facilitating meetings between employers/RWAs and domestic worker collectives on challenges faced by workers due to pandemic guidelines and restrictions.

ActionAid Association is an organisation working for social and ecological justice. ActionAid has been engaged with the most marginalised communities in India since 1972. In 2006, ActionAid Association was registered as an Indian organisation, governed by an independent General Assembly and a Governing Board.

Domestic workers help made your life easier to live every day, now it's your turn to help them survive this hard time. Help ActionAid continue helping more domestic workers in need.
 It is time for all of us to come forward and help domestic workers to overcome the shock of the pandemic. Please support as much as you can, your contribution is crucial!