Domestic Workers in India

http://southasia.oneworld.net/opinioncomment/domestic-workers-in-india-no-better-than-slaves
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/condtav/pdf/rdwpaper26a.pdf

Domestic workers, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) are people who "carry out household work in a private household in return for wages." In India, over 90 million people do domestic work. Although no systematic study has documented the number of workers throughout the country, it can be inferred from the available data that an overwhelming majority of domestic workers are women and girls. who are also unfortunately subject to considerable abuse. Furthermore, almost 20% of domestic workers are children below the age of 14, who should not in fact be employed under child labor laws in India.

Changes in economic and development related policies continue to push more people into domestic work. A change in family structure in India from joint or extended family systems to more nuclear families has increased the demand for domestic workers. This should also lead to an increase in wages, however, the supply of people in need of work has also increased due to infrastucture projects related to techonological growth in particular that have displaced a large number people, thus leading to further exploitation, rather than an increase in living wages.

This exploitation causes a lack of decent living and working conditions for domestic workers. In fact, often their situations are so precarious that their lives are endangered, since they also lack access to healthcare. This is an issue of major concern from a social perspective, but also from an economic standpoint. Such deplorable conditions lead to economic insecurity, as well as social and political instability, and hinders overall growth and economic development.

A fundamental shift in attitude towards domestic workers still commonly referred to as "servants," in India is required. Furthermore, changes in legislation and economic policies that are actively enforced, are required to improve the conditions under which these domestic workers live and work. Additionally regularized work hours and conditions, the ability to unionize, as well as benefits such as paid time off should be provided. Though many states have taken steps in this direction, much more work remains to be done in upholding and enforcing legislation and regulations.