Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 15
The Centre for Development Initiatives (CDI) in association with Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance and Labour department today observed Northeast domestic workers’ week as part of International domestic workers day here at CAN Building. Speaking on the occasion, Nagaland’s Assistant Labour Commissioner Avile Vitso said the department is working and under process to help out domestic workers of the state.
The minimum wage for domestic workers have been enhanced and approved by the state cabinet where unskilled would get Rs 176 per month, semi-skill Rs 210 P/M and skilled Rs 235 P/M.
Vitso informed they would be given soft skill training by the department in the coming days. She urged upon the domestic workers to come forward and avail their due share from the government.
North Kohima SDPO Yambemo Humtsoe said the domestic workers should unite themselves and work together with one mind, vision and goal.
Acknowledging the contribution of the workers, he said no profession or work is too small and their work is very crucial in the family.
He advised the workers to please their owner and be sincere and faithful with their assigned duty.
He told the domestic workers to inform the police in the event of their owners or masters misbehaving or ill treating them.
FDWA Kohima coordinator Theresa Langhu said on June 15, the week long observation came to an end with the celebration of North east domestic workers' week.
She said this week long observation have numerous advocacy programmes in the region through the 12 social work wings of the missionary sisters of Mary help of Christians.
She said the observation covers various aspects relating to safeguarding the rights of domestic workers such as those of migrant workers, live in workers, regulation of private placement agencies and setting up of dispute settlement mechanisms like overtime compensation, weekly off, regular payment to domestic workers themselves, healthy and safe living and working environment.
Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance Kohima is a charitable and non-profit organization pioneering for the rights, dignity and justice of domestic workers in Kohima since 2015.
She said the movement is actively working in 17 states in India, 6 states in North east India namely Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
She said most of the domestic workers are illiterates and come from vulnerable communities and backward areas.
She said their work is undervalued, underpaid and poorly regulated, lack of decent wages and working condition and defined work time, faults accusation, abused and sexual harassment at work places are some of their major issues.
She informed that at present, Kohima town has identified more than 680 domestic workers and children in domestic work and only 350 domestic workers have registered in the organization.
