Paid Domestic Workers in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India

Abstract

Domestic workers constitute one of the largest segments of unorganised workers in India andit is one job where men are outnumbered by women. Domestic workers lack respect andrecognition from their employers and are mostly underpaid, prevailing in a state of dependency.This paper, based on a qualitative study, aims to find out the nature of work and work related.problems of women domestic workers, and to uncover the factors which contribute to theirentry into paid domestic work. Samples are purposively selected from the domestic workers’groups promoted by Ernakulam Social Service Society, a non-governmental organisation.(NGO) based in the Ernakulam District. The data was collected through in-depth interviewsand focus group discussions and analysed using interpretive methods. Eight major themes,namely, working hours, place of employment, type of work performed by the domestic workersin employer’s home, the employee and employer relationship, problems experienced at workplace, income, occupational health, and family support, emerged in this study to explain thenature of work, and work related problems of paid women domestic workers. The domesticworkers’ perceptions about factors that contribute to their entry into paid domestic work is.discussed under socio-economic backwardness and educational status. The findings of thestudy will help to identify vulnerability in paid domestic work and frame a strategy fororganising and globalising domestic workers in the context of the International LabourOrganisation’s latest efforts in promoting decent work for domestic workers.