Supreme Court Directive on Domestic Workers' Protection

An impoverished tribal woman from Chhattisgarh, employed as a domestic worker in the national capital, became the focal point of a Supreme Court judgment highlighting the exploitation of domestic workers.

Supreme Court's Observations

• The absence of a central law for domestic workers leads to rampant abuse and exploitation.
• Domestic workers endure low wages, unsafe environments, and extended hours without effective legal recourse.

Supreme Court's Directives

• The Union government must form an inter-ministerial committee.
• This committee should include experts from the Ministries of Labour, Women and Child Development, Law and Justice, and Social Justice and Empowerment.
• The committee is tasked with recommending a legal framework for domestic workers' rights and protection.
• The report should be submitted within six months to decide on the necessity of a central law.

State Initiatives

• States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Kerala have enacted their own laws for domestic workers' protection.
• These states have established specialized bodies to administer social security benefits, maternity care, education assistance, and fair wages.

Historical Attempts

• Several bills, from the 1959 Domestic Workers Bill to the 2017 Regulation of Work and Social Security Bill, have proposed central laws but none have been enacted.