Treat domestic workers as organised labour

CHENNAI: NGOs representing domestic workers from across Tamil Nadu gathered in the city on Wednesday to press the Centre to act quickly to implement the recommendations of the 100th international labour conference of the International Labour Organisation, and accord organised labour status to domestic workers.They also urged the State government to take decisive steps to increase enrolment in the Domestic Workers’ Welfare Board. “The Indian government signs a lot of international conventions but few see the light of implementation.The welfare of domestic workers is a serious matter that requires immediate action from the Centre,” said Renuka, executive director of the Centre for Women Development Research.The NGOs have raised a set of demands with the government, including steps to bring more of the 22 lakh domestic workers in Tamil Nadu to enrol in the Domestic Workers Welfare Board, and the setting up of a corpus fund for the board’s welfare out of the house tax.