Shillong, June 16: The International Domestic Workers’ Day was celebrated in a befitting manner, here at Sri Aurobindo Institute, Bivar Road in the presence of the Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma as the chief guest and Labour Minister Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh as guest of honour. The theme for the celebration was “Regulate Domestic Works and Recognize Domestic Workers as Workers”.
Organized jointly by the North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement (NERDWM), Meghalaya and Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance (FDWA), Shillong City, the celebration saw huge participation of domestic workers from across the North East states and was also attended by Nongthymmai Legislator, Jemino Mawthoh, Director of Information & Public Relations, H.M. Shangpliang, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Women’s Commission Theilin Phanbuh, Provincial, Silchar Province, Rev.Fr. George Maliekal and Provincial, MSMHC – Shillong Province, Rev. Sr. Mary Concepta Dkhar, among many others.
In his address the Chief Minister said it was a privilege to be part of the celebration and termed the domestic workers as “an indispensable part of our society”. He pointed out the difficulty of finding domestic workers in developed countries and said it was fortunate that they are still available here, adding that “it is time we give back to them for the difference they make in our society and families”. He also came up with several suggestions for empowerment of the domestic workers and for the benefit of their children.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister along with other dignitaries also gave away certificates of various trainings on skill development conducted for the domestic workers.
The Chief Minister called upon the departments of Labour and Social Welfare to jointly take up the responsibility to provide support to organizations working to empower the domestic workers through out-of-the-box, innovative approach involving all concerned to create the kind of environment that would benefit both the employer and the worker. He said that one crucial aspect that the Government should look at was the children of domestic workers to enable them to realize their dreams as per their potentialities. Observing that most domestic workers are also single mothers, he said: “There is a need to create a very innovative concept to ensure that all our domestic workers and all single mothers are able to send their children to schools which are capable of providing shelter and quality education. We will look at that programme which is dedicated to domestic workers and single mothers – a model programme which can be replicated in other states in the country, so that when domestic workers go to assist their employers they can have the comfort that their children are having the access to that kind of quality education to enable them to compete with the rest of younger generation”.
He also appealed to the organizations to take advantage of a number of interventions from the government to create a sustainable livelihood in the rural areas to prevent continuous migration from rural to urban centres in search of opportunities. He emphasized that there should be some endeavour from the government, the line departments and the organizations representing the domestic workers to give them access to information about these programmes, including skill development, farming activities backed with training, marketing linkage and network, etc and show them ways to apply for these programmes and help them climb the ladder of growth and prosperity. He also suggested that many employers can take advantage of the domestic workers to piggy-ride on the Government scheme of Home-stays – where 30 percent assistance for the whole project is given by the Government – and train the domestic workers as the best chefs so that they become available workforce in promoting tourism in the State.
On the memorandum submitted by the Movement, the Chief Minister gave his assurance saying the Government would examine it in detail with due diligence and consultation with the partners who have long experiences in dealing with the problems and challenges of the domestic workers. He also said that there is a need to structure many of the programmes to take care of this vulnerable group of people in the society and engage them productively. As a policy maker, he said that there is a need to engage further and left behind a proposal to the Movement to sit together to discuss ways and means, beyond what is articulated in their memorandum, to empower the domestic workers. ”Let Meghalaya show the way to other states so that we take care of millions and millions of domestic workers in the country and beyond,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement, initially known as Domestic Workers’ Association was initiated on June 1, 2003 by the congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong Province in Meghalaya in response to violence and injustice perpetuated on domestic workers. The Movement received its legal recognition from the State Government on October 15, 2005, under the banner of North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Welfare Trust. The Movement gradually expanded its activities in other parts of the region including Mizoram, Assam Manipur and Nagaland and recently its activities are further extended in 12 cities of North East under the name of Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance.
The overall objective of the Movement is sustainable improvement of the living and working conditions of domestic workers through activities ranging from mobilizing and registration of domestic workers to assisting them to avail various schemes of the Government. Till date, 5000 domestic workers are registered in Shillong. Skits demonstrating the exploitation and abuse of domestic workers and creating awareness on their registration were also performed on the occasion.
