> 25th September,2012 > > Press Release > > Bailancho Saad and Goa Domestic Workers Forum held a meeting of domestic > workers at Caritas Panjim to press for recognition of domestic workers as > Workers which entitles them all the rights and benefits given to workers. > > > Dr Sabina Martins of Bailancho Saad spoke of the ILO resolution and the > rights of domestic workers. > > The International Labour organization (ILO ) has in its 189 resolution > recognized domestic workers as workers. All member countries have to now > ratify the resolution and implement it. Though India is yet to ratify the > resolution ,all state governments were directed to recognize domestic > workers as workers, as it is a State subject. The state government has to > include domestic workers in the category of workers in the Minimum Wages > Act. The Social Security Act 2008 requires that the State make appropriate > Laws for domestic workers. > > > Various states like Maharashtra, Karnatake, Andhra Pradesh ,Tamil nadu, > Kerala, Delhi. Jharkhand, Bihar have taken steps to give domestic workers > their rights. Goa,despite being described as a progressive state, is yet to > make legislations to give the domestic workers their due rights. > > > Fr Desmond Dsouza of Goa Domestic and Migrant Workers forum, gave details > of the work done to ensure that salaries are paid to domestic workers by > drawing up contract agreement between domestic workers and employers . A > draft Bill was prepared and given to late Mathany Saldanha he stated. > > > The meeting demanded that there be compulsory registration of domestic > workers. A domestic workers welfare board be set up through which the > domestic workers can avail schemes like medical insurance, pension and > other workers welfare schemes given to contract workers under Contract > workers welfare board. The other option was to include contract domestic > workers under Contract workers welfare board. > > > Domestic workers Roslyn, Panna,Shainaz, Salima, Deepti, Christene, Suman > raised several issues like long hours of work, no fixed leave , no > overtime , no retirement scheme and other benefits given to workers. Those > who have suffered injury at work and cannot work now live as destitute. > > Sr Maggie spoke about the number of domestic workers who come for various > type of assistance. > > > The meeting decided to hand over a memorandum to the Chief Minister to > press for inclusion of domestic workers as workers in the Minimum Wages > Act. The meeting also decided to hold a domestic workers convention to > press for a National Domestic Workers Act and appropriate state > legislations since domestic workers is a state subject. The meeting also > decided to call upon trade unions and labour organisations to support the > demand. > > > Sabina Martins > > For Bailancho Saad > >