Summary of key issues in accessing schemes

Key issues in Accessing Schemes:

1. No Dedicated Department or Scheme: Domestic workers face a major challenge as there is neither a dedicated department nor a specific scheme designed for their improvement.
2. Informal Sector Worker Classification: Their situation is exacerbated by being categorized as informal sector workers, lacking proper representation and having no established written rules or agreements. Instead, their arrangements primarily rely on verbal understandings.
3. Lack of Fixed Wages and Hours: Furthermore, the absence of fixed wages or standard working hours adds to the difficulties faced by domestic workers, who heavily rely on daily earnings.
4. Local Discontent with Low Wages: Local Kannadiga domestic workers express dissatisfaction with those coming from other places, such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Assam. This discontent arises because these workers often accept jobs for very low pay.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by supporting domestic workers in coming together through collectives or joint actions. This collaborative approach enables them to collectively address and overcome their shared concerns, with active involvement and guidance from CSOs.

1. Fedina is actively working with domestic workers to address various challenges:
2. Fedina is fostering unity among domestic workers and educating them on demanding higher pay, aiming to increase their earnings from the current Rs 800-1,000 to Rs 3,000 for each hour of work (monthly earnings).
   Many individuals who used to work in the clothing industry switch to domestic work due to difficult working conditions, low pay, high work targets, and harassment, despite having benefits like PF/ESI.
   Over the last 5-6 years, there has been a significant influx of people from Chhattisgarh (CG) and Jharkhand (JH) to this area for employment opportunities.
   Workers have to pay a fee of 5% (using formal methods like money order) to 10% (using informal methods like agents) for money transfers, creating an additional financial burden.