Another Domestic Help Abuse Video Goes Viral, Why The Indifference?

Another video of a woman abusing her domestic help in Noida has surfaced on the internet and we wonder why the harassment is getting so prevalent. In the video now going viral on social media, a woman named Rajinder Kaur's (woman identities in a video by Brut) can be seen thrashing a housekeeping staffer after the garbage bag she picked tore up outside her house. She asked her to pick up the spilled garbage and called the maintenance supervisor.

In the video, it looks like the housekeeper failed to clean the mess immediately and Kaur then physically assaulted her with a slipper. Rajinder not only harassed the woman physically but also used unacceptable comments while speaking about her to the society members around, ‘She has no brains’, ‘She is acting like a heroine’. Kaur also questioned the housekeeper about where she got the slippers she was wearing from.

Where Is Humanity?

Unfortunately, this is just another case coming from Delhi NCR where a domestic help was harassed by the employer. Reports of domestic workers’ harassment at their workplace have surfaced time and again and it seems this isn’t just coming to an end.

Another high-rise resident thought it was okay for them to thrash an employee… pic.twitter.com/2i2eobCpyv

— Brut India (@BrutIndia) April 18, 2023

Not just verbal and physical abuse, lack of a decent wage, threats and sexual assault are some other problems that come in the way of domestic workers. The financial status and background of domestic help are a big factor behind the ill-treatment they face and there seems to be no silver lining. Jobs of housemaids, security guards and rag pickers are considered inferior, not surprisingly, by the educated too. We wonder how difficult it is for society to treat domestic workers with respect and dignity.

Sadly, some members of society take immense pride in subjecting domestic workers to abuse and this once again is a wake-up call. The onus is now on all of us to ensure this comes to an end and society doesn't lose faith in humanity. For the same, it is crucial to be aware of the fundamental rights of domestic workers. So, we spoke to Shikhani Shah Engineer, Criminal Lawyer, at Bombay High Court to understand what the constitution of India states to prevent the exploitation of domestic workers in the country.

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Do Domestic Workers Have Any Rights?

The legal expert shared that domestic workers do have rights under the Domestic Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2008. Speaking of the act, the expert said, “The act was introduced to regulate payment and working conditions and check exploitation and trafficking of women and other young household workers.

She further shared that since domestic workers are there are practical difficulties to cover all of them under the law. Though the Act covers both men and women, it assumes that women are present in the occupation in a large number. However, the Act specifically makes provisions for a penalty in cases where any person knowingly sends, directs, or takes any girl or woman domestic worker to any place for immoral purposes or to a place where she is likely to be morally corrupted or in any manner sexually exploited. Such a person shall be subjected to imprisonment for a minimum period of 6 months which may extend up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs. 50000 or both (Section 23).

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Not only abuse, but domestic workers can also file a complaint if they suffer from underpayment at work. The expert said, "District Board shall be constituted by Central Government or State Government, which will review and monitor proper implementation of Domestic Workers (Registration Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2008 in each district. The board will function for the settlement of disputes through conciliation and procedure mentioned under the Act. In case of any offences made domestic workers can approach the District Board for its compliance."