Question : National Policy for Domestic Workers

(a)whether the Government has devised/fixed a standard definition of domestic workers in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether the Government has any data regarding the number of persons working as domestic workers/helps in the country at present and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
(c)whether the Government has formulated/proposed to formulate a National Policy on domestic workers;
(d)if so, the details and the current status thereof; and
(e)the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure social security as well as to improve the conditions of domestic workers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a): No, Madam.

(b): The details of number of domestic workers employed in the country are not maintained at Central level. However, as per 68th round survey (July, 2011- June, 2012) of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), the estimates of domestic workers are given below:
Contd..2/-
:: 2 ::

Category of domestic workers No.
Male 11.56 lakhs
Female 23.23 lakhs
Total: 34.79 lakhs


(c) & (d): The Government is contemplating framing National Policy for Domestic Workers. Since the Policy has not been finalized, it will not be possible to indicate its details.

(e): The Central Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 for providing social security to the unorganised workers which include domestic workers also. Various Labour Laws like the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; the Employees Compensation Act, 1923; the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 are also applicable to domestic workers. Benefits of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) have been extended to domestic workers.
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