I read an article in today’s “The Hindu” about fixing minimum daily wage for domestic servant / maids / workers at http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/26/stories/2010042659260300.htm
Though I agree that they should not let themselves be exploited, there are few nuances to note.
1. Does this apply to the agencies who supply maids to houses or offices?
2. The rules for houses and offices must be kept separately. The same rate cannot be applied as the work nature is different.
3. If it is domestic, then we have to see the nature of job. Most houses employ for cleaning (sweeping and mopping the floors and cleaning the bathroom floor approx twice in a week) (or) cleaning the windows, doors and tiles (or) washing utensils (or) washing clothes (or) taking care of the baby from 9 to 5 or full time depending on the family needs (or) all of them.
4. Assuming that a wage per hour needs to be paid – how do we ensure that the maid completes the work in stipulated hour? If the sweeping and mopping of floor usually takes only one hour, and if the maid deliberately delays it and demands the next hour’s wage, who will settle the dispute?
5. Most of the so-called domestic maids come to work because of their family circumstances and to earn an additional income. Only few of them are cultured and the rest speak the language of slum which is typical of Chennai. Should families take the headache of listening to such filthy language and shouting of words and whom they should go for settling?
It is quite unfortunate to read that a wage of Rs. 30 per hour being suggested. The system of fixing wage is a flawed one. May be, it can be made applicable for agencies who supply work force to companies or corporate.
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