New Delhi: In a landmark verdict, a Division Bench of the Supreme Court of India, consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, has ordered the central government to constitute an inter-ministerial committee to help tackle the exploitation of domestic workers. The committee will aim to draft laws to protect their rights, welfare, and working conditions. During the hearing, the bench called for the initiative while considering a case of exploitation involving a tribal woman from Chhattisgarh who had worked as a domestic worker in Delhi.
The court noted that domestic workers are a highly vulnerable category of workers, and in the absence of a comprehensive law addressing the issue, they are subjected to egregious abuses and ill-treatment. Domestic workers — employed as nannies or housekeepers — are primarily women who exist on low pay, poor conditions and long hours with no legal protection.
The court has ordered the constitution of a committee with representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to deal with these issues. The committee has to submit its report within six months, after which the government of India is expected to draft a legal framework.
This judgment came in a case filed by a poor tribal woman from Chhattisgarh, who was subjected to years of abuse while working as a domestic help in Delhi. The top court noted that domestic workers are highly susceptible to exploitation as there is no specific legislation concerning their issues.
The bench observed that several big states, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala, have taken proactive measures by enacting their own law and protecting domestic workers with minimum wages, health security and other social benefits. In crafting national policies, the court has urged the new committee to keep these state-level initiatives in mind.
The Supreme Court’s order emphasises the rights of domestic workers, who comprise a considerable part of the informal sector, mainly occupied by females. The ruling is expected to enable the country to legislate for the full respect and protection of domestic workers.