CHAPTER-7 Problems & Challenges of Women Domestic Workers in Informal Sector
CHAPTER VII PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF WOMEN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN INFORMAL SECTOR 7.1 INTRODUCTION: Women domestic workers in the informal sector consist of the most vulnerable working segments in society. They came from a marginalized population who s legal, economic and political status limit their ability to demand their rights. These women include domestic workers whose social and economic contributions to society are invisible to the public, the law and policies of the country. They face challenges because their work is not considered rural work so that their rights to minimum standards of decent work are continually violated. The unique feature of their work place, which is the home of their employer, makes them vulnerable to abuses and exploitation. This is because the state would always be reluctant to consider a home a workplace that they can regulate. The lack of capacity, support and unity as that in organized sector make the challenges they face doubly difficult. As a result, this paper attempts to look at these challenges through studies into the profile of domestic workers, their burdens and vulnerabilities in work, existing labour and other legislations that are applicable to them, efforts of the government to address the issues and efforts of domestic workers and partner organizations to organize them. This paper also covers issues related to minimum standards of decent work, including definitions, terms and conditions of domestic work, live in and live out arrangements, wages, leaves and social security. Women domestic work has long been ingrained in the mindset of the Indian society. Domestic work is seen as menial and impure occupation traditionally performed by people, mostly women and children, whose lives are still dominated by a caste system that assigned people his/her place in the society. 146
Domestic work has a long history in India with both men and women working in others homes as servants. The affluent had servants; mostly men with loyalty obligation and patronage bring the salient aspects of this relationship. Caste defined the hierarchy lower castes performed the dirty work of cleaning while higher caste men cooked. Though domestic work is not a new phenomenon in India, it cannot simply be viewed as an extension of historical feudal culture where the affluent employed servants. Both in the urban and rural contexts, the nature of work and workers have been rapidly changing. The sector now primarily comprises women domestic workers who are not recognized as workers while their work is undervalued. This is primarily due to the gendered notion of housework; value is not ascribed to women s work in their homes, and by extension, even paid work in other s homes is not given any value or regarded as work. It is also undervalued because it is often performed by poor, migrant women from lower castes. All these contribute to the inferior states of their work, both in their own minds and in society. Domestic work, however, is still undervalued. It is looked upon as unskilled because most women have traditionally been considered capable of doing the work, and the skills they are taught by other women in the home are perceived to be innate. When paid, therefore, the work remains undervalued and poorly regulated. By contrast, studies that provide space for domestic workers to speak often reveal their belief in the dignity of their hard work, and, as such, it warrants recognition and respect and calls for regulation. Domestic work includes mental, manual and emotional aspects, including care work communities. Domestic work is thus viewed as reproductive work that creates not only labour units but also people and social relations. Anderson further draws attention to domestic work being rooted in the community. By the doing of domestic work we literally reproduce our communities and our place with in them In this context, it is important to note who does the domestic work as this reflects the relation between genders race and class. The employer-employee relationship is a complex one and is viewed as one of domination, dependence and inequality. Also, this is an area of work where the employer and the 147
employee are mostly females. As a home is the site of work, relations between employer and employee are often not limited to work but spill over as larger support systems. Domestic workers in India look access to sufficient and effective statutory measures and institutional mechanisms for their protection. Steps have been taken by the government both at the national and state levels to protect their rights. Nevertheless, the few labour laws enacted by the national and state governments addressing domestic workers face the challenge of implementation. This is aggravated by the discriminating attitude of many employers against the domestic workers, including caste prejudices. As a result those who carry out domestic work are largely ignored working sectors often specially excluded and economically exploited. On the other hand, the government recognizes the prominent role of migrant domestic workers as a source of foreign exchange in the Indian economy and a solution to the country s unemployment issues. Compared to their local counterparts, a higher degree of regulation is exerted by the government in the process of their deployment. But despite efforts by the government, Indian domestic workers with in and outside the country remain vulnerable to all forms of exploitation from the moment they enter the recruitment process till they enter the workplace. The women domestic workers cited a number of obstacles that impeded their efforts to resolve disputes, violations and abuses that arise in their workplace. First, the employers tend to use their economic and social influence to intimidate employees that complain or make claims against them. The respondents also reported that they experienced abusive treatment, sexual harassment, discrimination and unfair working conditions. The experiences involved undertaking demeaning tasks like washing undergarments and toilets with open hands and handling sick people without protective gear, denial of rest and food, and introduction of additional tasks and varying the workload beyond initial agreements without additional compensation. the challenges that faced women domestic workers. As shown, low wages, 148
unreliable pay, and job insecurity were cited as the most serious and common challenges facing female domestic workers. Feel is there any need for the improvement in working condition Women domestic workers working conditions further exacerbate their exposure to abuse, which largely arises out of their informal status in the economy. Since their work primarily takes place in private households, they are invisible from the formal labor structures, hidden from the public. As a result, they cannot defend their rights and unions cannot represent them. The informal nature of domestic work, often results in exploitative and harsh forms of labor, exposing these workers to human rights abuses. Due to poor in many cases none regulation, migrant domestic workers face excessive hours, physical and sexual abuse, forced labor and confinement. In many countries, this also includes foregoing wages and paying debt bondage. The following table 7.1 shown the feel is there any need for the improvement in working condition Table-7.1 Feel is there any need for the improvement in working condition Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Yes 345 86.25 2 No 55 13.75 3 Not necessary 00 4 Nothing will change 00 00 Total 400 100 The table demonstrates the feel is there any need for the improvement in working condition by respondents 86.25 percent respondents, said that feel about improvement of working condition and 13.75 respondents expressed we did not need for the improvement in working condition Even when the workers are paid, it is not always sufficient to provide for themselves and their families. Confinement and restrictions on their freedom of movement because 149
of their harsh working conditions also contribute to their social isolation and their further exposure to abuse. Since migrant domestic workers have little to no opportunity to demand better working conditions through unions and legal protection, they often receive few, if any, social benefits. This includes insufficient rest time and little to no opportunities to visit their relatives during medical emergencies, and no pension and presented Graph 7.1. Graph-7.1 If yes what type of improvement does you required in working conditions Below table shows outlines basic features of employment of women domestic workers in Gulbarga city. As shown in the table, almost all domestic workers are not entitled to any form benefits and improvement do you required in working conditions and shown in the following table 7.2. 150
Table-7.2 If yes what type of improvement do you required in working conditions Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1. Cloth should not be so dirty 78 22.60 2. Family members should not be more than Six person 108 31.30 3. vessels should not be to many 25 07.24 4. Coffee and tea must be provided 64 18.55 5. Break fast or snacks need to be served 6. les chemical oriented detergent need to be used 7. Mopping tool should be provided 70 20.28 00 00 00 00 8. Any other facility Total 345 100 The above table illustrate 22.60% of the women are not satisfied with cloth should not be dirty, 31.30% respondents said family members should not more than six persons,7.24 percent respondents opinion that vessels should not many whereas 18.55 percent respondents said about Coffee and tea must be provided and lastly 20.28 percent said Break fast or snacks need to be served and presented graph also. 151
Graph-7.2 Feel any need for the improvement in working wages The monthly minimum wage for domestic workers. This implies that women domestic workers are poorly remunerated in Gulbarga city and that the employers have very little regard to the law. This survey revealed that most of the women domestic workers did nothing in the face of wages and violations of their rights and this as is presented in table 7.3. Table-7.3 Feel any need for the improvement in working wages Sl.No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Yes 400 100 2 No 00 00 3 Not necessary 00 4 Nothing will change 00 00 Total 400 100 The above table expressed Women Domestic work seems to be the destiny of significantly huge number of women workers in Gulbarga city who seek employment opportunities in urban sector, often rendering an invisible 152
workforce who are paid well, and deprived of rights to ensure decency in work. Reflecting on indecent working and living condition of women domestic workers, The above table reveals that the respondents were asked 100 percent respondents, need for the improvement in working wages In the study area. Graph-7.3 If yes what type improvement do you need in working wages Domestic workers are among the lowest paid workers in India and are paid an amount which is even below the minimum wage of semi-skilled and unskilled Wage rates also vary by region and type of work, although some of this variation may be a result of the relatively small numbers surveyed. Cooking is the best paid occupation, but in all categories female wages are lower than male wages, as is the case in other occupations the details of the responses so obtained is presented in Table 7.4. 153
Table-7.4 If yes what type improvement do you need in working wages Sl.No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Regular salaries 258 64.5 2 Yearly increased wages 98 24.5 3 Yearly bonus money 00 00 4 Festival advance 00 00 5 Any other facility 44 11 Total 400 100 The table 7.4.improvement do you need in working wages in the study area 64.5 percent respondents expressed that employers gives the regular salaries whereas 24.5 percent respondents said employers gives Yearly increased wages, 11 percent respondents opinioned that employers gives others facilities at time of festivals. And also presented in the Graph 7.4. Graph-7.4 154
You become ill how do you manage the duties of D.W. Women domestic work may be strictly confined to their places of work. The domestic workforce is excluded from work laws that look after important employment-related issues such as conditions of work, maternity leave or become ill These reasons as expressed by the respondents is presented on the table 7.5. Table-7.5 You become ill how do you manage the duties of D.W. Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 By taking leave 345 86.25 2 Assigning another family members to owners home 55 13.75 3 Being absent 00 00 4 Loss of pay 000 00 5 Any other reason 00 00 Total 400 100 Domestic workers occupational safety and health, workers compensation for employment injuries, general health care Table 7.5 exhibits various individual related causes for their illness. 86.25 percent respondents expressed their opinion that the main cause comes that time By taking leave for whereas 13.75 percent respondents said Assigning another family members to owners home. The same aspect is presented in Graph 7.5. 155
Graph-7.5 Holidays can you take in a month without informing the owners? Apart from the unduly hours of work required in domestic service, it was also noted that there is a woeful lack of stand regarding holidays, servants day offs and sick leave for at workers. Workers do not have any fixed number of leaves and on an average of one leave in a month was found existing. Extended leaves very often have the risk of losing wages the following table 7.6.expressed Holidays can you take in a month without informing the owners Sl. No. Table-7.6 Holidays can you take in a month with out informing the owners Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 One 378 94.5 2 Two 22 5.5 3 Three 00 00 4 Four 00 00 5 Five and above 00 00 Total 400 100 156
The Table 7.6.reveals that 94.5 percent respondents said one day Holidays can you take in a month with out informing the owners whereas 5.5 percent of them said 2 days Holidays can you take in a month without informing the owners. Most workers expressed dissatisfaction with the leave structure and considered four days off in a day as a fair leave structure and also presented graph. Graph-7.6 Get breakfast, lunch or dinner at the work place Probing further, the women domestic workers were asked Get breakfast, lunch or dinner at the work place and they told friendly for present position were as treat like the following such a situation and presented in Table 7.7. 157
Table-7.7 Get breakfast, lunch or dinner at the work place Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Yes 168 42.00 2 No 211 52.75 3 Some time 21 5.25 Total 400 100 The above Table 7.7 shows the analysis of the table is that the 42 percent of the respondents opined and said Get breakfast, lunch or dinner at the work place whereas 52.75 per cent of the respondents said do not get breakfast, lunch or dinner at the work place and 5.25 percent respondents said that some time we get breakfast and dinner and also presented graph. Graph-7.7 If yes what will you get? As domestic work involves more of personal relationships, payments are sometimes paid in kind than in cash. Since the quality of food, Break fast, tea, 158
coffee and the facilities given to D.W s are difficult to quantify. In addition to wages, some domestics receive pecuniary benefits such as clothes old as well as new, allowances and donations for festivals and other occasions and food. These are found to supplement the wage income, which is most important form of compensation. A large number of D.W s were found to receive old clothes from their employers. Following table 7.8 views of respondents. Table-7.8 If yes what will you get Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Break fast 34 20.23 2 Lunch 00 00 3 Dinner 00 00 4 Snacks 22 13.09 5 tea coffee 112 66.66 6 sweets 00 Total 168 100 The above table 7.8 reveals about breakfast, lunch or dinner at the work place Attitude of women domestic workers. The analysis of the table is that the 20.23 percent of the respondents opined and said they get breakfast, 13.09 percent respondents get snacks whereas 66.66 percent respondents get tea and coffee, Though a good proportion of workers receive benefits than wages, many workers were not receiving anything more than wages. Other benefits were mostly in the form of old clothes or old food. This suggests that D.W s do not add much as other benefits to their income. It seems that the importance of other benefits are decreasing W1 the increased formalization of the job. and also presented in the Graph 7.8. 159
Graph-7.8 In general do you feel you are treated well by your employer It is clear that employers treat well and benefit from the employer can be taken as a matter of right. It is uncommon for workers to receive assistance with the school fee of their children. The benefits given to the domestic worker are not uniform and depend on the good will of the employer The Views of respondents is given and presented following Table 7.9 Table-7.9 In general do you feel you are treated well by your employer Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Yes 382 95.5 2 No. 00 00 3 Manageable 18 4.5 Total 400 100 The above table 7.9 reveals that the Respondents who agreed In general do you feel you are treated well by your employer 95.5 percent respondents 160
said they treat well and only 4.5 percent respondents said that they do not treat well and presented graph also. Graph-7.9 Get leave as per your requirement These studies also note that only a few workers get a weekly off; paid leave is often the result of difficult negotiations with the employers. Getting sick leave also depends on the good will of the employer. Instances of workers losing their jobs due to long leave taken at time of childbirth or ill health are often reported. Some also lose their jobs when they visit their places. Deduction in wages for extra leave is a common practice among employers. Views of respondents on health status is compiled and presented in the Table 7.10. 161
Table-7.10 Get leave as per you requirement Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Yes 00 00 2 No. 262 65.5 3 Some time 138 34.50 Total 400 100 The Table 7.10 clearly shows women domestic workers Get leave as per you requirement in Gulbarga city Survey of the investigation revealed that 400 respondents 65.50 percent respondents have expressed that do not Get leave as per you requirement whereas 34.50 percent respondents said that some time get leave as per you requirement This is presented in Graph 7.10. Graph-7.10 162
According to you what is the condition domestic workers these days As an occupation, the field of domestic work is quite diverse covering profiles such as child care, cooking, cleaning and hospitality at home. Viewing the focus of this women domestic worker in urban sector-, we need to lay focus on occupational profiles which are compatible with characteristics like being woman, domestic work being a core activity rather than a subsidiary activity and mainly urban based occupation. The following table 7.11 shown the condition domestic workers these days. Table-7.11 According to you what is the condition domestic workers these days Sl.No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Good 126 31.5 2 Bad 251 62.75 3 poor 00 00 4 Better 00 00 5 Manageable 23 5.75 Total 400 100 The above Table 7.11.reveals the responses of respondents condition domestic workers these days 31.50 respondents said good whereas 62.75 percent respondents said now a days domestic work is bad and 5.75 percent respondents said we are manageable of our work. And also presented in the Graph 7.11 163
Graph-7.11 On your mistake how they will react Most of the domestic women workers felt safer when commuting in a group and this became a practice, especially for those who left early in the morning. With reference to their work, commuting was the biggest problem cited by them. So far the report has provided an understanding of the working conditions of domestic workers. Most of the workers in the sample entered domestic work as it was the most viable option requiring no specific skills. Issues of personal safety and childcare of their children are also addressed by the nature of work place and its timings. When doing work any mistake how they will react the following table 7.12 shown the results 164
Table-7.12 On your mistake how they will react Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 They Excuse me 376 94 2 They forgive me 00 00 3 They Punish me 00 00 4 They abuse me 24 6 5 They panelize me 00 00 6 They cancel me job agreement 00 00 Total 400 100 The above table presented the majority of respondents On your mistake how they will react 94 percent expressed their opinion employers they excuse to us whereas 6 percent respondents said that they do not excuse us by any mistake and also presented in the Graph 7.12. Graph-7.12 165
Problem faced by women domestic worker s in terms of work and sexual harassment Whether your owner any time try to harassed for you sexually Sexual harassment is yet another serious issue faced by domestics. This is found to range from sexually coloured remarks/ gestures, unwanted physical contact, molestation and even rape. Growing job and income insecurities coupled with comparative social disadvantages add to the vulnerability of the domestics. The major cause domestic work becoming unpopular and unstandardised is the low social status attached to the occupation and the concentration of lower castes in it. The domestics have complained of being treated as a class apart, and the stigma of social inferiority was found among all the workers, sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour as: Physical contact, a demand or request for sexual favour, sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography, any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature, for example, leering, telling dirty jokes, making sexual remarks about a person's body, etc. It moves into the harassment domain when it is not consensual. Sexual harassment is commonly called sexual abuse too the following table 7.13 distribution the data according to Whether your owner any time try to harassed for you sexually. Sl. No. Table-7.13 Whether your owner any time try to harassed for you sexually Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Socially 61 15.25 2 Mentally 38 9.5 3 Physically 00 00 4 sexually 00 00 5 any other 301 75.25 Total 400 100.00 Sources: field survey 166
The above table 7.13 stated that respondents whether your owner any time try to harassed for you sexually for this aspects respondents expressed their view points.15.25 percent respondents said that we are socially got harassment whereas 9.5 percent respondents opinion that owner harassed by mentally and 75.25 percent respondents expressed their opinion we did not get any harassment by owner, so women are protected against sexual harassment at all the work places, be it in public or private. This will contribute to realization of their right to gender equality, life and liberty and equality in women domestic working conditions everywhere and also presented graph. Graph-7.13 Feel when you are doing domestic work The tasks performed by women domestic workers may include their work i.e. cleaning (sweeping, swabbing and dusting), washing (clothes and dishes), or even putting machine-washed clothes on the clothesline or/and folding them, cooking, or preparation for cooking such as chopping vegetables and making dough, or cooking a part of meal, ironing, housekeeping and extensions of these outside the home such as shopping. Domestic work may also include childcare or care of the aged. Then workers got their work comfortable. Data regarding to view of the respondents their Feel when you are 167
doing domestic work were collected and the same as presented in the Table 7.14. Table-7.14 Feel when you are doing domestic work Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1. Comfort 311 77.75 2. Uncomfortable 59 14.75 3. Confused 00 00 4. In secure 30 7.5 5. Scary 08 02.00 Total 400 100 Sources: field survey The above table reveals that out of 400 respondents 77.75 percent comfort feel about their domestic work whereas 14.75 per cent respondents expressed their opinion about uncomfortable of their domestic work, 7.5 percent said about insecure their work and lastly 2 percent respondents said scary of their work and presented graph 7.14 Graph-7.14 168
As a domestic worker do you experienced any of the following It is equally important to clarify the concept of Violence against women domestic worker. Violence is also known as abuse and include any sort of physical aggression or misbehave by owner. When violence is committed at home it becomes domestic violence. Domestic violence may involve different means such as hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, throwing objects. In broad terms, it includes threats, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, controlling or domineering. In the present study, a purposeful enquiry has been made to respondents as a domestic worker do you experienced any of the following and presented in the table 7.15. Table-7.15 As a domestic worker do you experienced any of the following. Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1. Viable abuse 108 27.00 2. Beating 00 00 3. Late payment of wages 125 31.25 4. Reduction / with drawl of wages 00 00 5. Sexual harassment 00 00 6. Forced to work when sick 00 00 7. Not allowed to take day off Holiday 167 41.75 8. Molestation 00 00 Total 400 100 Sources: field survey The above table demonstrates the factors of harassment shown by respondents for joining to domestic work 108 respondents constituting 27 percent universe have stated that owner viable abuse to me, main factor and 31.25 percent respondents expressed that owners gives Late payment of 169
wages,41.75 percent respondents were of the obtain that employers Not allowed to take day off Holiday and presented graph 7.15. Graph-7.15 After becoming domestic worker did you developed any health problems Leaving Gulbarga city which have relatively high penetration of health, general awareness about health was found to be low in rest of the city Though women domestic workers are familiar with the concept, the awareness on health was found to be very low and presented in following table 7.16. Table-7.16 After becoming domestic work did you developed any health problems Particulars Respondents Percentage Yes 318 79.50 No 82 20.50 Total 400 100 Sources: field survey The table 7.16.demonstrate the factors of After becoming domestic worker did you developed any health problems shown by respondents in the 170
study area of Gulbarga city.318 respondents constituting 79.50 % universe have stated that after become domestic work health problem developed and another 82 (20.50%) respondents felt that did not developed any health problems. Domestic workers lack healthcare and social security. Their medical benefits are absent and totally depend on their employers. For instance; SEWA survey showed that live out domestic workers do not have social security. Many domestic workers suffer form health hazards brought by their working conditions. women live-out domestic workers were suffering from back pain but are not getting any medical help from their employer and also presented graph 7.16. Graph-7.6 If yes what type of Health Problem did you developed In Gulbarga city the women domestic workers said the verbal abuse and humiliation they suffer at their places of work represented their most important health and safety problem. They said they felt they were got skin problem, head ache, cold, general weakness etc and the responses to summaries and present in the following table 7.17. 171
Sl. No. Table-7.17 If yes what type of Health Problem did you developed Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Skin problem 48 15.09 2 Allergy 00 00 3 Cold 00 00 4 Headache 14 4.40 5 General weakness 00 00 6 Body pain 161 50.64 7 Physical tiredness 95 29.87 Total 318 100 Sources: field survey The table 7.17 can clearly exhibit the magnitude of respondents in Health Problem did you developed from the beginning.48 respondents constituting 15.09% were strongly expressed their opinion about skin problem where as 14 respondents constituting 4.40 % stated that we had got headache by domestic work, 161 respondents constituting 50.64 percent had body pain and lastly 29.87 percent respondents said about we had physical tiredness by domestic work and presented graph 7.17. Graph-7.17 172
Wish to continue working as domestic worker As an occupation, the field of domestic work is quite diverse covering profiles such as child care, cooking, cleaning and hospitality at home. Viewing the focus of this women domestic worker in urban sector-, we need to lay focus on occupational profiles which are compatible with characteristics like being woman, domestic work being a core activity rather than a subsidiary activity and mainly urban based occupation so many women domestic workers are saying continue to this work The following table gives the details of wish to continue working as domestic worker and presented in the table 7.18. Table-7.18 Wish to continue working as domestic worker Sl. No. Particulars No. of respondents Percentage 1 Yes 349 87.25 2 No 51 12.75 Total 400 100 The above table reveals that 87.25% respondents satisfied to Wish to continue working as domestic worker whereas 12.75 percent respondents said did not interest to continue this women domestic work and presented in graph also. 173
Graph-7.18 Your family domestic work This studies have shown, they start work before family than they go to other employers domestic work due to financial difficulties in the city. Though women start work at different time intervals after their move to the city, they point out that they started working to supplement their husbands wages. In some cases, they work only after they are unable to meet the expenses of growing children, especially their education. Respondents were asked your family domestic work presented in Table 7.19. Sl. No. Particulars Table-7.19 Your family domestic work No. of respondents Percentage 1 After going back to home 364 91 2 Before coming to work 36 09 3 In between the working hours 00 00 4 Any other specify 00 00 Total 400 100 In the sample there were 91 per cent respondents who expected that their after going back to home whereas 9 percent respondents said that our 174
home domestic work doing after coming Graph 7.19. home and also presented in the Graph-7.19 175