Over the last 10 years S. Lalitha has been working every day in ten homes just to make ends meet.
She is among the many domestic workers who struggle daily to make a modest living and are not aware of the financial assistance they are entitled to. “I did not know till date that something such as a board existed. Nobody guided us, nobody cared, hence we continue to slog,” says Lalitha.
There are nine financial assistance schemes available for domestic workers in the State, including education of their children, maternity benefits, marriage and pension.
According to the Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers Welfare Board, 1,72,010 domestic workers from the State have registered themselves with the Board, since its inception in 2007.
As many as 47,365 workers have registered themselves in the last five years since 2011. Of the lot, 84,434 are beneficiaries of the various schemes. “A sum of over Rs. 70 crore was allotted by the State for these schemes. We have tied up with several registered trade unions to spread awareness. Once they come forward we shall help them,” said a senior official from the Board.
However, activists point to irregularities in the management and the lack of accessibility to officials as the major reason holding back most domestic workers, who account for more than the enrolled number. “Most domestic workers you meet will tell you they have no knowledge about these schemes. The deputed officers either do not reach out to them or make them roam ten times before they finally give up,” said K.R. Renuka, Executive Director, Centre for Women’s Development and Research (CWDR).
Citing their nature of work, she added that the respective district labour officers should hold awareness and enrolment camps near their localities, so that they too can avail all the benefits like other employees.
“More camps more memberships, is what is needed,” explained Latha, member of Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
Minimum Wage
Apart from welfare schemes, minimum wage continues to be an irksome problem for the workers. “In today’s time with rising expenses, it has been extremely difficult for us to run our household. We really hope the officials take account of it,” said an emotional M. Manimegalai, domestic worker and mother of 3, and the sole breadwinner of her family.
Officials from the Board have, however, said that they have been looking into the matter. “We are doing all that we can to help them, we would also need support from other stakeholders,” the official said.
There are nine financial assistance schemes available for domestic workers in Tamil Nadu
