Domestic workers of the State want Government to provide social security. Hundreds of such workers, mostly women, under the banner of National Domestic Workers Association held a State-level protest rally from Morhabadi to Governor House on Tuesday regarding demands related to social security.
“The association had been raising its voice since 2008. In 2012, a PIl was filed in Jharkhand High Court after which the Court directed the State Government to form a State Social Security board in 2013 for these workers. The Board was framed and regulations were made but till date registration of workers and benefits of the board are awaited,” Father Chetan Chandan, State Coordinator of the Association said. “It has been 18 months since the formation of the board,” pointed out Social Activist Rajan.
The lists of the demands include fixed monthly salary, `1000 as pension, residential facilities, maternity benefits, health insurance and provident fund. Meena Toppo working as maid servant in Bariatu for last four years said they want the new Government to take the initiative and provide them the desired needs at the earliest.
“My friends are not receiving their BPl pension of `400. The Government should consider the effort and time we spend in household activities. We should instead get a pension of `1000,” said Sheela Devi, a domestic worker in Bokaro’s Gumla Colony. A street play on ‘Trafficking of Domestic Workers’ was presented by 11 artists of Jago Jagavo Sanskrit Kala Manch, Bokaro.