FUNCTIONS & ACTIVITIES  >  Dignity of Domestic Workers

  Giving Dignity to Domestic Workers and The Work They Do

Domestic work is most often not regarded as ‘real’ work. Domestic workers are tagged as ‘maids’, ‘servants’ and ‘helpers’. This stigma for a very long time has lowered their self-esteem. But there is a significant shift as awareness and recognition have allowed society to change their perceptions. The term ‘domestic worker’ itself aims to give dignity, status and respect for the occupation. The empowerment of domestic workers and the struggle for fair working condition has clearly led to a shift in attitudes by some employers and domestic workers are valued as an employee and a person.

To help establish dignity for domestic work and workers, several campaigns and rallies are held for the public. Through our empowerment programmes, domestic workers are encouraged to participate and organise cultural programmes and festivals.
 

  Cultural Activities and Celebration of festivals

Recognition for domestic workers is emphasized during cultural activities and celebration of festivals. The Movement encourages the Domestic workers’ groups to come together, organise and conduct the events. The programmes include: health camps, culturals display and performances, rallies, guest talks, street/role plays, discussion forums, etc.

These programmes are a boost to their self-esteem and raise their confidence levels and gives them a sense of solidarity and community. Further these programmes are displayed in society to invitees from government offices and other associates. They achieve recognition of their worth as capable humans and economic benefactors of the society.

  Rallies

Rallies are conducted to give domestic workers visibility in society to put forward their demands and voice their opinions on different issues. Remarkably, domestic workers gain courage, speak to media people and gain more recognition. Rallies, Morchas, dharnas, public meetings: these give them a media mileage and allows for their voice to be heard as a strong solidarity of their work force. Protest rallies and dharnas are organized for various issues like:

• Implementation of Minimum Wage Act

• Social Security Bill

• Anti-Child Labour

• Rallies at times of abuse and threat
   

  Conventions and Workshops:

Conventions and workshops are organised to persuade the Government to provide and establish the rights for Domestic Workers. At these conventions, Domestic Workers are made aware of their rights and are guided on how to approach authorities in solidarity and dignity. Domestic workers are encouraged to express their opinions through groups discussions. Stakeholders and duty bearers are also invited to these conventions. Many of the officials are amazed at the strength and confidence shown by the Domestic Workers. The convention also includes street plays, folk dances and public hearing. The programmes are organised by the Domestic Workers. These conventions give Domestic Workers a sense of self-worth and assurance of a social identity... read more
 

  Path Yatras:

Awareness campaigns are conducted which include rallies with domestic workers, NGOs, politicians and people from the civil society. These delegates go from village to village on foot and hold meetings with villagers from source areas, communicating the issues of trafficking through street plays, speeches and interactions.