The central government move to offer domestic workers health insurance of Rs 30,000 per year under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) may be a good move. However, if one goes by the experience of a similar legislation enacted by the state government more than two years ago, the new move too may be another mirage. The state has totally failed to implement the law that would have provided this group of unorganised workers many financial benefits.
During the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature in December 2008, the government had passed Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Board Act, 2008. Under this Act, district level boards were to be formed to help channel government grants to domestic helps. "The first step was formation of regional boards. Though I welcome the benefits that central government is giving the domestic workers, I feel sad that the Act that got passed after so many efforts of so many people is being disregarded," said Rupa Kulkarni, president of the Vidarbha Molkarin Sanghatana, an organisation of domestic helps set up four decades ago. She also pointed out that most social security schemes meant for these workers require them to have BPL cards that are difficult to obtain.
"Since no other state has an Act safeguarding the interests of workers from the unorganised sector, it was a matter of great pride that Maharashtra enacted such a law. Yet, three years down the line, there is no move to take it forward," said Vilas Bhongade, secretary of the Sanghatana. The government does not seem to realise that by ignoring this Act, they are ignoring a large number of very poor women in the urban areas, he added.
Social activist Jyoti Nagarkar of Youth for Unity & Voluntary Action (YUVA), who is working for betterment of domestic workers, feels this disregard of the rights of workers is due to their social 'unimportance'. "It was after years of struggle with the government that the draft we wrote in 2002 was made a law. However, despite lobbying for its implementation on every occasion, the government seems unwilling to do so," she said.
Nagarkar recalled how she once spoke to a big politician about the issue. "He tried to divert the conversation saying there were more 'important' issues to sort out," she said. She was also worried about increasing increasing cases of violence against maids.
Provisions of Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Board Act, 2008 -
Immediate financial assistance in case of accident
Financial assistance for education of children
Medical expenses for beneficiary and dependents
Maternity benefit for women beneficiaries up to two children
Funeral expenses to the legal heir upon the death of beneficiary
Provisions being demanded:
Weekly holidays
Annual increment
Issuance of BPL ration cards
Pension benefits
How to avail insurance?
Explaining how a domestic worker can avail the benefit, Anil Swarup, director general for labour welfare, ministry of labour and employment, government of India, told TOI: "Domestic worker can get a certificate of their work from resident welfare associations or their registered union or even from their employer."
The certificate then can be submitted to an identified district level office of labour department, which will compile the data. Smart cards will then be issued to workers. "The entire process for extending health insurance to domestic workers, irrespective of their BPL status, has been laid down by the ministry. It will soon be initiated across the country," Swarup said.
The scheme envisages smart card-based cashless health insurance cover up to Rs 30,000 in any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country. The funds will be allocated from the national social security fund for unorganised workers. The premium will be shared by the central and state governments in the ratio of 75:25. In case of states in North-East and Jammu & Kashmir, the ratio is 90:10. The estimated expenditure to be borne by the central government is Rs 29.70 crore in 2011-12, Rs 74.25 crore in 2012-13, Rs 148.50 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 297 crore in 2014-15.
REACTIONS OF DOMESTIC WORKERS -
Raina Hattibade - My work necessitates me to be away from home most of the day. This does not allow me to give much attention to my children. I am happy that in terms of health benefits, the government has taken a heavy load off my shoulders. Yet, I wish something could be done to improve the life of our children as well.
Ranjana Nagoshe - I work in more than 10 houses each day. Having worked for over 25 years as a domestic help, I appreciate the change in the employers' attitude towards us. Yet, there are times when we need financial help and do not wish to ask since it affects our self-respect. It feels good that the government has come forward to provide this help.
Sangeeta Dhawade - I had started making tiffins for those from outside the city in order to make some extra money. Despite both my husband and me working, it is difficult to bring up three children. With us getting some financial help, there would be some relief.
REACTIONS OF EMPLOYERS -
Loveeta Arya, Housewife: Western countries have had such rules in place since long. Domestic workers should be taken care of as well as the any other citizens of the country.
Kavita Shende, banker: I am a working mother so it goes without saying I depend a lot on my domestic help. If the government passes laws that make her happy and more empowered, it is more like helping me doing my job without much stress.
Shrikant Durge, shopkeeper: The domestic workers also put in as much hard work as any other professional, sometimes ignoring their own families to look after ours. It is good to see they getting some benefits from the government.
During the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature in December 2008, the government had passed Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Board Act, 2008. Under this Act, district level boards were to be formed to help channel government grants to domestic helps. "The first step was formation of regional boards. Though I welcome the benefits that central government is giving the domestic workers, I feel sad that the Act that got passed after so many efforts of so many people is being disregarded," said Rupa Kulkarni, president of the Vidarbha Molkarin Sanghatana, an organisation of domestic helps set up four decades ago. She also pointed out that most social security schemes meant for these workers require them to have BPL cards that are difficult to obtain.
"Since no other state has an Act safeguarding the interests of workers from the unorganised sector, it was a matter of great pride that Maharashtra enacted such a law. Yet, three years down the line, there is no move to take it forward," said Vilas Bhongade, secretary of the Sanghatana. The government does not seem to realise that by ignoring this Act, they are ignoring a large number of very poor women in the urban areas, he added.
Social activist Jyoti Nagarkar of Youth for Unity & Voluntary Action (YUVA), who is working for betterment of domestic workers, feels this disregard of the rights of workers is due to their social 'unimportance'. "It was after years of struggle with the government that the draft we wrote in 2002 was made a law. However, despite lobbying for its implementation on every occasion, the government seems unwilling to do so," she said.
Nagarkar recalled how she once spoke to a big politician about the issue. "He tried to divert the conversation saying there were more 'important' issues to sort out," she said. She was also worried about increasing increasing cases of violence against maids.
Provisions of Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Board Act, 2008 -
Immediate financial assistance in case of accident
Financial assistance for education of children
Medical expenses for beneficiary and dependents
Maternity benefit for women beneficiaries up to two children
Funeral expenses to the legal heir upon the death of beneficiary
Provisions being demanded:
Weekly holidays
Annual increment
Issuance of BPL ration cards
Pension benefits
How to avail insurance?
Explaining how a domestic worker can avail the benefit, Anil Swarup, director general for labour welfare, ministry of labour and employment, government of India, told TOI: "Domestic worker can get a certificate of their work from resident welfare associations or their registered union or even from their employer."
The certificate then can be submitted to an identified district level office of labour department, which will compile the data. Smart cards will then be issued to workers. "The entire process for extending health insurance to domestic workers, irrespective of their BPL status, has been laid down by the ministry. It will soon be initiated across the country," Swarup said.
The scheme envisages smart card-based cashless health insurance cover up to Rs 30,000 in any empanelled hospital anywhere in the country. The funds will be allocated from the national social security fund for unorganised workers. The premium will be shared by the central and state governments in the ratio of 75:25. In case of states in North-East and Jammu & Kashmir, the ratio is 90:10. The estimated expenditure to be borne by the central government is Rs 29.70 crore in 2011-12, Rs 74.25 crore in 2012-13, Rs 148.50 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 297 crore in 2014-15.
REACTIONS OF DOMESTIC WORKERS -
Raina Hattibade - My work necessitates me to be away from home most of the day. This does not allow me to give much attention to my children. I am happy that in terms of health benefits, the government has taken a heavy load off my shoulders. Yet, I wish something could be done to improve the life of our children as well.
Ranjana Nagoshe - I work in more than 10 houses each day. Having worked for over 25 years as a domestic help, I appreciate the change in the employers' attitude towards us. Yet, there are times when we need financial help and do not wish to ask since it affects our self-respect. It feels good that the government has come forward to provide this help.
Sangeeta Dhawade - I had started making tiffins for those from outside the city in order to make some extra money. Despite both my husband and me working, it is difficult to bring up three children. With us getting some financial help, there would be some relief.
REACTIONS OF EMPLOYERS -
Loveeta Arya, Housewife: Western countries have had such rules in place since long. Domestic workers should be taken care of as well as the any other citizens of the country.
Kavita Shende, banker: I am a working mother so it goes without saying I depend a lot on my domestic help. If the government passes laws that make her happy and more empowered, it is more like helping me doing my job without much stress.
Shrikant Durge, shopkeeper: The domestic workers also put in as much hard work as any other professional, sometimes ignoring their own families to look after ours. It is good to see they getting some benefits from the government.
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