Posted on » Saturday, March 17, 2012
 
It is a welcome step by LMRA in taking action to bring in more safeguards to protect the interests of domestic workers. A substantial number of people are involved and their contribution to day-to-day life is very significant. A uniform policy to cover the rights and duties of these people will no doubt bring cheer to the lives of these workers.

In this context, sufficient care should be exercised to ensure that neither the workers nor those who engage them are put at a disadvantage. All people are aware that there are instances where both the employer and the employee are behaving unreasonably and create trouble for the other. A fair deal to both the parties is to be drawn up by persons who are dispassionate and are genuinely interested to ensure fair and smooth functioning of the engagement of workers for various services.

With regard to formation of unions for the workers, let us be very careful. The moment unions are formed, disruptive elements will sneak in and start using this forum for unfair personal gains. In the course of time violence and vandalism are bound to follow. The services of maids, chefs, drivers etc are of utmost importance for a smooth and happy living. In many cases a fine relationship is built between the families and the workers engaged by them. Some of the workers almost become members of the family they serve. Such bonds of fine relationships between families and workers deserve encouragement.

Authoritative bodies with enough powers to take up the cases can be constituted to go into reported cases where there are undue bad treatment of the workers or wrong doing on the part of workers. The main aim of such bodies should be to ensure a fair deal to both the workers and the families who engage them.

R Madhavan