Question : SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF DOMESTIC WORKERS



(a) whether the abuse/ mistreatment/atrocities / violence/harassment/ sexual harassment of the domestic workers/helps by the employers has increased during each of the last three years and the current year in the absence of centralised legislation to protect their rights in the country ;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the number of such cases reported during the said period, States/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to enact a Centralised Legislation in this regard ;

(d) if so, the salient feature of such legislation along with the time by which such legislation is likely to be enacted;

(e) whether the National Commission for women had drafted the Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Bill, 2010 highlighting the exploitative nature of domestic work and if so, the status of the said Bill; and

(f) the other corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to protect the interests of domestic workers/helps in the country ?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a) & (b): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain , the segregated data relating to abuse/ mistreatment/atrocities / violence/ harassment/ sexual harassment of the domestic workers/helps by the employers in the country.

(c) & (d): The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, has been enacted which includes domestic workers also within its ambit.

(e) & (f): Yes Madam, The Domestic Worker’s Welfare and Social Security Bill as prepared by the National Commission for Women was sent to Ministry of Labour of Employment for necessary action. It is learnt that the Ministry of Labour of Employment is working on a National Policy for Domestic Workers