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Event Abstract:

The space occupied by Domestic Workers in India is unique. Domestic workers predominantly face triple oppression in terms of caste, class and gender, despite which, they do not have a specific legislation targeted towards their welfare. Largely lacking structural support either through the State or via unions, they are often unaware of even the existing legal protections, such as minimum wage, protections against sexual harassment, and right to registration as an unorganised worker. Moreover, with the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic workers have faced an exacerbation of casteist and feudal practices at the workplace, and have no real recourse or remedy. In this context, the Domestic Workers Rights Union, in Karnataka, India, has approached the Hon'ble High Court seeking inter alia for implementation of existing law and introduction of guidelines in line with ILO Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. It is sought that meaningful systemic change be brought about, for which a real understanding of the societal, structural and legal issues faced in this sector can only contribute to the discourse.

About the speaker:

Avani Chokshi is an Advocate and a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation.

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