The Domestic Workers Public Hearing on Friday 9 April 2010 at NGO Hall, Bangalore, was well attended with approximately 200 people watching. The public hearing was organised by the Domestic Workers Rights Union, Stree Jagruthi Samiti & SICHREM.
Interim Observations and Recommendations
13 cases of rights violation of domestic workers were heard by the audience. From the testimonies given by women and children, it is abundantly clear that the work conditions of domestic workers from Bangalore, Mangalore and Bijapur are appalling, at times dangerous and violative of human rights. Some of the more serious violations include child labour, sexual harassment at the workplace, false accusation of crime, police harassment, disruption of family, inhumane working conditions, emotional and physical abuse.
This problem does not seem to be that of a few isolated cases and it is imperative that the legal system protects the lives of the working conditions of this large group (an estimated of 4 lakh from Bangalore alone).
The Domestic Workers Rights Union has charted their demands to include:
- Recognition as workers
- Regulation of employment
- Regulation of work conditions
- Right to social security
- Accident and compensation
- Penalty for violations of rights
In the light of the testimonies, the jury panel heard across caste, religion, region, race, the jury panel feels that these are justified demands that must be met in order to protect the rights of domestic workers – the silent and invisible backbone of society, whose services are necessary for the modern and urban society. There is also an urgent need for the regulation of the placement agencies, keeping in mind the interests of both the employers and the domestic workers as both groups seem to have had experiences of cheating, lack of information and exploitation in their dealings with the placement agencies.
- There should be a complete ban on child employment even in the domestic sector.
- The public should be made more aware and sensitive to the case of child labour in their neighbourhood by calling 1098.
- The low pay rates given to women where they are provided boarding must be looked into.
We appreciate the women and child domestic workers for coming forward with their testimonies and to all the organisations involved in ensuring that this public hearing was conducted.
(from left to right): Vasanthi H, Justice HN Nagomohan Das and Geetha Meenon.
The jury panel (from left to right): Mrs Supriya Roy, Ms Venkatalakshmi, Ms Vasanthi H, Advocate Hemalath Mahishi and Professor Sarasu Thomas.
SICHREM 
