Increase of Urban Women’s Work Participation and Quality of Employment in Paid-Domestic Work: A Survey in Delhi-NCR and Kolkata-Asansol

Abstract

A rise in female work participation in the urban sector creates a vacancy for care work at the household level and triggers a second round of job creation for females. In order to explore whether this process gives rise to decent employment for the female domestic workers (FDWs), a primary survey was conducted among domestic workers in the cities of Delhi, Noida, Kolkata and Asansol. The workers surveyed are, by and large, in low-wage, precarious employment, without social security and have an exhausting routine of work inside and outside the home. Apart from the lack of job security, sickness and disease also add to the uncertainty. Given the double burden of income-earning work and own domestic work, the FDW is crucially dependent on her health and strength, and often incurs health-related expenditure. But they contribute to their household income and have some autonomy in household decision-making. The informal working conditions for these workers, the need for social security and their low wage levels are all areas that need serious attention from policy-makers. Health insurance and pension plans would benefit the domestic workers, given that their work involves a requirement for robust health and the strength that youth brings with it.

Albeit Satisfied: Unveiling Female Paid Domestic Workers in India

“…We add to this literature by examining job satisfaction among female domestic workers in India against the backdrop of poor terms of employment. The study more closely relates to the emerging literature on paid domestic work in India (Armacost & Armacost, 1994; Arokkiaraj & Rajan, 2021; Bhattacharjee & Goswami, 2020; Endow et al, 2021; Grover, 2018; Gurtoo, 2016; Kundu, 2008; Labour Bureau, 1981; Nanda, 2020; Neetha, 2008, 2009a, 2009b; Raghuram, 2001). Raghuram (2001) discussed the gender and caste compositions of workers in this occupation.…”

“…ILO (2011) documented that approximately 35.9% of all female domestic workers had no legal entitlement to maternity leave and 85% of these workers were from Asia. India also documented such unusual terms of employment associated with the industry (Armacost & Armacost, 1994;Bhattacharjee & Goswami, 2020;Endow et al, 2021;Gurtoo, 2016;Kundu, 2008;Nanda, 2020;Neetha, 2008Neetha, , 2009aNeetha, , 2009b. It is one of the largest sectors of work in urban areas and is characterised by informality; poor working conditions including poor pay, lack of minimum wages, long working hours, lack of rest periods and adequate leave, and lack of job security; poor or non-existent maternity and other work benefits (such as childcare, pensions and medical insurance), arbitrary dismissals without notice or compensation; acute lack of social security and protection; and caste, class and gendered discrimination (Neetha, 2008).…”

“…On the other hand, low wages, low level of education, less control over assets and income, verbal and physical abuse, and absence of social security are reflected in their weak bargaining power, which results in low level of empowerment. In a recent study, Endow et al (2021) argued that though these workers are undervalued at workplace, they gain some autonomy in household decision-making by contributing in household's income. A recent contribution to this literature highlights how travel restrictions in the backdrop of COVID-19 affected their job and income security (Nanda, 2020).…”