After the Supreme Court ordered the Centre to constitute a committee to suggest a legal framework for regulation and protection of domestic workers, Advocate Chandrika Prasad Mishra said that the court has acknowledged that domestic workers are often forced to work in situations where they have no recourse or means to file a complaint.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh asked the Union Government to explore the feasibility of enacting a law aimed at safeguarding rights of domestic workers.
The Court issued the order while dismissing a criminal case filed against a man, who was accused of preventing his house help from leaving his residence.
Advocate Mishra, who represented the women complainant in the case, said that if a law would be made on this, it would benefit the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and weaker section women.
“We represented the complainant woman. The court has acknowledged that domestic workers are often forced to work in situations where they have no recourse or means to file a complaint. There are no laws in these areas. The court recognized that workers are often paid lower wages and are helpless because there is no law or association where they can voice their demands.
This is a significant day for SC, ST, and women from weaker sections, and if a law is created in this field, it will benefit them,” Advocate Mishra said.
Advocate Rajiv Dubey informed that the Supreme Court has asked for a report on the matter within six months.
“The Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Labour to form a committee to create a legal framework aimed at protecting the rights of maids, household workers, and the weaker sections of society. The goal is to establish a law that improves their financial status. The court has asked for a report in six months to ensure their rights are safeguarded,” he said.
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to make effort to enact a law soon after the recommendation of the committee. The top court noted that domestic workers are an essential workforce and there was no Pan-India legislation to protect their rights. It says domestic workers are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and trafficking by employers and agencies. (ANI)
