A recent incident of exploitation of a domestic worker in a housing society in Noida has brought the focus once more on the situation of workers in the informal sector in urban areas. Whether it is a case of domestic workers, construction workers or contractual labour, they seem to be the most exploited lot. A non-profit organisation, Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), has done extensive research in this area.

One of their research reports suggests that the contribution of the informal settlement dwellers to urban GDP is 7.53 per cent; if calculated further it is almost 4.5 per cent of the country’s GDP. Their study, the largest in India on this particular issue, was conducted in 50 major cities across the country. About 5,353 households and 24,445 individuals were covered in the study.

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In an interview with ASHA RAMACHANDRAN, Dr Rajesh Tandon, president of PRIA, highlighted that it is essential to sensitise people and inculcate in them a sense of dignity of labour. “We need to recognise that domestic work can also be dignified,” Dr Tandon said, calling for skill development of the unorganised workers in all sectors.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. What is the status of the unorganised, or informal, labour force in our country?

A.The structure of Indian economy has not changed in terms of nature of employment. Thirty years ago, we spoke of organised and unorganised sectors. Around 30-35 years ago, much of employment was made up of an unorganised, informal workforce. Over the past 35 years, India’s manufacturing and service sectors have grown enormously. The share of private sector has increased hugely, compared to late 1970s and 80s. But the informal nature of employment has remained stagnant.

The vast majority of workforce ~ people who are not self-employed and work for somebody else for peanuts ~ that percentage has not changed at all. The industrial sector is organised but a vast majority of workforce there is contractual. When nature of employment is vulnerable, people are highly exploited.

Q.How much does this sector contribute to our economy?

There is a mindset that the informal workers dwelling in our cities are living off others. The question is, what is their economic contribution to a city? The answer, (according to a study by PRIA) is: 7.5-15 per cent. We used the study to approach political parties. This segment of population is a vote bank. But they are also an economic asset. In that study, we asked the opinion of middle-income group of people. They described these dwellers as “scum” and a “burden to the city”. But when we asked if they could be moved out, the answer was a unanimous “No”! It is this mindset ~ that in the minds of the employers these workers are a burden as opposed to active economic agent ~ that needs to be changed.

Q. Is there any law protecting their rights?

A. There is no law at the moment. Payment of Wages Act exists in our statute, but is rarely implemented. Exploitation of workers is so widespread that it evades any attention. While white collar jobs are as vulnerable, for the lower-end, comprising semi-skilled and unskilled workers, the situation is even worse.

Q. Regarding domestic workers, where does the proposed legislation, Domestic Workers’ Welfare Bill, stand?

A. The problem is not the Bill but in its conceptualising. The Bill is still pending.

Q. In the context of the recent incident in Noida, is there any change in attitude towards domestic workers?

A. Domestic workers fall under three categories: full time, where they stay 24×7 in a house; second, where they work in high security housing societies with tight regulation; and thirdly, where they live in colonies and work part-time in three or four houses. None of them get the minimum wages. They spend 9-10 hours working. There is no concept of weekly off. Hardly anyone has benefited from social security. Because there is no standardisation, the question is, what can you bargain? Part of our caste and hierarchical mindset is that we don’t want to acknowledge that domestic work can also be dignified. We use derogatory terms such as “Garbage Persons” or “Shudra”. We cannot improve their lot unless we can clean our own (dirt). I am really concerned that as a society, in 70 years of Independence we have not changed our mindset regarding dignity of work.

Q. Since most informal workers are migrants from rural areas, what can be done to reverse, or at least stop this migration?

A. People come into cities as they cannot earn in villages. The glamour of cities draws them. In cities they are under-employed. Economic studies show that 62 per cent of people are living and working in urban areas. The criteria by which an area is determined as “urban” says any place with population density of 5,000 functions as a town. People doing agriculture form a very small percentage. Our criteria of zoning is outdated and needs revision.

Q. What role has PRIA been playing to improve the lot of this informal sector, particularly domestic workers?

A. We are hoping to propose some sort of skilling certificates for domestic workers. The National Skill Development Mission has been captured by big industries. They can train plumbers and electricians but not domestic workers. A vast majority cannot work in a company but informally they do ~ for example as drivers or cleaners. They learn on the job but have no certification. We need to provide a certification and fix wages. We need to set skilling standards and occupation upgraded to next level. We do not have this system.

In PRIA, 6-7 months back, we started work with a group of domestic workers. The idea was to empower them, give them access to basic rights and benefits as well as social security. The problem is they are not registered. We then had an interface with the resident welfare associations (RWAs). They should take responsibility, have a Harrassment Forum and standardise payment and leave system.

Norms are there but no mechanism to check. But the main thing is recognition of service ~ the concept is not there.