Minimum wages for domestic help on anvil

Close on the heels of launching a social security scheme for the workers engaged in the construction sector, the Orissa government plans to cover the domestic servants under the ambit of the minimum wages act.

A proposal to this effect has been sent by the labour and employment department to the government and the approval of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik is awaited.

“We have sent a proposal in this regard and awaiting the approval of the chief minister”, a senior official of the state labour and employment department said.

The latest move of the state government is likely to benefit about 2 lakh domestic servants working in different parts of the state. Though the government is yet to assess the number of beneficiaries, the figure will be less than 2.5 lakh child labour identified in the state.

For implementation of the proposal, domestic servants will be brought among the professions eligible for daily minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act.

Sources said, the government intends to fix minimum wage for domestic servants at the same level as the unskilled workers. They will have a six-day week and an off day. However, they will be paid 7 days wages for the 6 working days. If they work on any weekly off day, they will be paid Rs 90 for that day.

On the other hand, the owners, who employ domestic helps, will pay 20 percent less if they provide 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). The owners can’t deduct any amount from their wages for providing accommodation and electricity.

Though there is no requirement for a separate act for enforcing the minimum wages for domestic servants, a separate act will be required for prescribing other parameters.

While there will be a break between the working hours, under no circumstance, the working hour would exceed 9 hours. Similarly, the overtime will have to be decided and registration of the domestic servant may be introduced.

“The registration process will help the government identify child labourers and rehabilitate them suitably”, the official added.

As a measure to provide social security, the state government is mulling to set up a Social Security Board (SSB) for unorganised workers. A proposal in this regard has been sent by the labour and employment department to the finance department for vetting.

The proposed board will suggest schemes on social security to various government departments and will review the progress of their implementation. It will be vested with the authority to implement the social security schemes if the government empowers the board to do so.