RANCHI: More than 73% of the domestic workers in Jharkhand are from the ST and the SC communities, a study has claimed. The report, titled ‘Status of Domestic Workers in Jharkhand”, was based on research conducted in Godda, Dumka, West Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Khunti, Simdega, Chatra, Deoghar, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Giridih, and Ranchi districts from December 2021 to February 2022.
The report was made public on Tuesday.
Over 100 domestic helps were interviewed during the study, claimed officials of the Jharkhand Anti Trafficking Network (JATN) and SPARK.
The study concluded that 41.6% of the domestic workers were from the ST communities, while 32.1% were from the SC communities.
“Nearly 70% of all the domestic workers received monthly wages less than Rs 3,000, while only 10% were paid over Rs 5,000,” the report stated.
Around 22% of the sampled domestic workers claimed that they were subjected to discrimination at their workplaces. “Their employers set aside separate utensils for them and made them eat on the floor, under kitchen sink or at the steps of multi-storeyed apartments. Nearly 33% claimed that their employers were disrespectful, abusive and sometimes violent,” the report added.
Oxfam India’s Sapna Sorin said the JATN and other government and non-government organisations must work together to demand and ensure the rights of domestic workers. “Often when domestic workers and women approach legal structures, they are rather victimised, blamed and shamed. Character assassination of domestic workers is a very common phenomenon, but their harassment and sufferings are usually overlooked,” she added.
Officials from the labour department did not respond to calls when contacted.
