© 2021 All rights reserved. Dr Lauren Wilks | The University of Edinburgh
Further resources
Groups and organisations supporting domestic workers (India)
Parichiti
Parichiti (meaning ‘identity’) works to support and mobilise women domestic workers in Kolkata and surrounding areas. For more information, visit the Parichiti website and Facebook page.
Paschimbanga Griha Kalyan Samiti (PGKS)
The Paschimbanga Griha Kalyan Samiti (PGKS), or the West Bengal Domestic Workers Welfare Society, is an organisation that fights for the rights and dignity of domestic workers. For more information, visit the PGKS Facebook page.
The Pune Shahar Molkarin Sanghatana
The Pune Shahar Molkarin Sanghatana, or the Pune City Domestic Workers Association, has a membership of over 15,000 women and has been active, as part of a broader Maharashtra network, in calling for legislation on domestic work. For more information, read New initiatives in organizing strategy in the informal economy (PDF).
The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) movement in Kerala works for the rights of poor women workers and is attempting to unionise and professionalise domestic work, playing a role in recruitment, acting as a union, and encouraging training and skill-building. For more information, visit the SEWA website.
The National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NDWM)
The National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NDWM) has been championing the rights of domestic workers, children in domestic work and migrant domestic workers in India since 1985. The movement is spread across 17 Indian states and engages nearly 200,000 domestic workers in major cities, towns, and villages. For more information, visit the NDWM website.
Relevant laws and draft legislations (India)
The Maternity Benefit Act 1961
The Maternity Benefit Act 1961 protects the employment of women working in establishments employing at least 10 workers during their pregnancies. It entitles them to paid leave during this period. For more information, read The Maternity Benefit Act 1961 (PDF).
The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act 2005
The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act 2005 protects women in various forms of domestic relationships, from physical, verbal, economic and sexual violence. For more information, read The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act 2005 (PDF).
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 protects women from any form of sexual harassment in the workplace. The law (under section 2) includes informal work and recognises the home/household as a legitimate workplace. For more information, read The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 (PDF).
Other useful websites
The International Labour Organization (ILO)
The International Labour Organization (ILO) brings together governments, employers, and workers of 187 member states to set labour standards, develop policies, and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men. For more information, visit the ILO website.
Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing & Organizing (WIEGO)
Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing & Organizing (WIEGO) is a global network focused on securing livelihoods for the working poor, especially women, in the informal economy. For more information, visit the WIEGO website.
The Research Network for Domestic Workers’ Rights (RN-DWR)
The Research Network for Domestic Workers’ Rights (RN-DWR) is an international and interdisciplinary network of researchers and activists conducting research on paid domestic work in close collaboration with domestic workers’ organisations. For more information, visit the RN-DWR website.