Medical benefits sought for domestic workers

Hyderabad: Sister Lissy Joseph, chairperson of the National Workers Welfare Trust, has requested the government for allow Employee State Insurance (ESI) cover, a medical facility, for domestic workers. The rules state a minimum of 10 employees is required for eligibility from a single organisation.

Ahead of International Domestic Workers Day, Sister Lissy Joseph said, "These people belong to the unorganised sector and lack job security. The government should at least provide them with such medical assistance."

International Domestic Workers Day is observed on June 16 every year to mark the anniversary of the 2011 ILO Convention Number 189, held in Geneva. This convention was established with the goal of promoting fair employment, safeguarding labour rights, and extending social protections to domestic workers.

Hyderabad has estimated six lakh domestic workers, out of whom 1.5 lakh are registered with the Telangana Domestic Workers Union, which is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, domestic workers were among the most severely affected. Sacked without notice, many lost their livelihoods. The is demanding not only ESIC coverage but also housing support, maternity benefits, pension plans and implementation of ILO guidelines.