What Are We Doing To Protect Domestic Helpers From Abusive Employers?

 Domestic helpers in our society seldom get the respect and empathy that they deserve from their employers. Their absence creates a crisis and yet most employers haggle with their daily helpers, paying them minimum wage and benefits. What's more, domestic care providers have no safety net, in case of abuse and harassment. Raising their voice could mean losing employment. Only when we hear a story of abuse that sends a chill down our spine do we even bother to discuss this issue.

A BJP leader from Jharkhand named Seema Patra was arrested today for allegedly torturing her domestic help. As per reports, the helper, called Sunita, is a tribal woman and was being tortured by Patra on regular basis for years. When Sunita was rescued, a video of her narrating her torture went viral. In the video, Sunita said that Patra burned her with a hot pan, broke her teeth, and beat her. Sunita also alleged that she was forced to lick urine off the floor.

This is not the first time that a report of a domestic helper being abused by her employer has made headlines. In May 2022, a Delhi couple reportedly thrashed their 48-year-old domestic helper, chopping hair off. The help was found lying in the pool of her own urine, even unable to move.

According to a report, India has seen a 222 percent increase in domestic workers from 1999-2000. Numerous women attain economic independence and support their families by working as house helps across the country. However, the class and caste divide force them to endure discriminatory behaviour from their employees. Numerous families have separate tea cups and plates for their house helps to use, because the employers do not see them as equals.

Seema Patra Domestic Help Abuse Case: Not An Isolated Incident

They are not allowed to use the same bathrooms, sit on the chair or beds or in some societies, use the same lifts as residents. They are expected to address their employers by their titles but employers address them by their names or nicknames. I also know of some households where domestic helps are not allowed in holy corners of the house because of their lower caste. However, the ordeal of domestic helpers goes beyond everyday discrimination.

A 2012 survey conducted by Oxfam India And Social And Rural Research Institute revealed that domestic workers and women working in small-scale industries are the most affected by sexual harassment in the workplace.

Suggested Reading: Domestic Violence Is A Grave Issue; Why Do We Overlook Male Survivors Of Abuse?

Despite the repeated reports that we read about abuse of domestic helpers, there seems to be no concern about their wellbeing. A woman was made to lick urine of the floor, beaten and traumatised for years, and that has made us sit up and address this issue. But should we only pay attention to the plight of domestic workers only when the abuse gets out of hand or threatens their life?

From making domestic helps use separate cups to physically abusing them, the spectrum of oppression is wide and each aspect needs our urgent attention. This is because abuse of domestic helpers is not just about systemic oppression of the poor by the rich, but also about caste discrimination. It is about one person's privilege to continue with their oppressive behaviour because they know that they can get away with it. This is what needs to change- no one should be able to get away with abuse because of their influence and standing in the society.

Let us take action to tackle abuse of domestic workers before another woman like Sunita has to endure it for years before she can even get relief, let alone justice.

Views expressed are the author's own.