Domestic workers demand fixation of minimum wages

Over 100 domestic workers take out a rally in city as part of Intertiol Domestic Workers Day

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 16: More than 100 domestic workers today took out a rally demanding fixation of minimum wages, securing of welfare schemes and setting up of a welfare board under the chairmanship of State Labour Minister.

Organized under the initiative of Centre of Development Initiative (CDI), jointly with the Ferrando Domestic Workers Alliance and tiol Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) the silent rally also raised issues through slogans spelling out the rights and welfare of the domestic workers which constitutes a major chunk of unorganized labour in the state.

This was part of a weeklong campaign to mark the Intertiol Domestic Workers Week that saw formation of human chain by children against Child Labour on June 12 along with mailing a 1000 postcards addressed to the Prime Minister rendra Modi, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattareya, State Labour Minister Pallab Locahn Das

 "We are part of the rally to draw the attention of the government regarding our plight and ensuring us a secured future," said Abiran Nessa, a domestic worker from Jagiroad.

CDI has been raising the cause of the domestic workers in the state and has also been able to provide vocatiol training and generate awareness about the rights of the domestic workers in the state.

The Centre is trying to prepare a tiol policy for domestic workers. The Union Labour Ministry is seeking to ensure minimum salary of Rs 9,000 per month, compulsory paid leave of 15 days a year and maternity leave, apart from social security for domestic help.