Sheela Singh is an industrialist who had enjoyed a phenomenal growth in her business. But she started her career as a domestic servant and grown across different layers of society to become one of the most successful businesswomen of the nation. Due to her exceptional rise in her career, she knows all the problems that various people encounter at various levels. She has however a kind heart towards the domestic servants. She believes that they are the ones exploited a lot in the Indian society. They are the ones who do not get the returns they deserve for their work. The experiences of her own life and that of her parents are still afresh in her memory. The rich people who employ the servants full time make them work so many hours in a day such that they fall ill frequently due to lack of sleep and proper food. Sometimes they make them work even when they are sick. It is always difficult for the servants to go away from the homes of rich people even if they wish to. The conditions the rich create are such that it is impossible to escape. When they try to escape, false charges of theft will be leveled against these people. They should either dedicate themselves to the master’s home or perish. At the same time, conditions are not any good if the domestic servants work in different homes. There is always a risk if something happens in any of the masters’ homes. The first finger will be pointed out at the servants. Sheela strongly believes that this behavior is inhuman and likes to correct it. She has taken up this with many human rights organisations, but nothing can happen until the victims openly speak out on the problems that they encounter. But who will go for such a fight and get blacklisted by all the families? It is not practical. However all of them share the opinion privately. Sheela realizes that the conditions can improve only when regulations are imposed legally and any work is done through a contract. She starts a movement for minimum wages for domestic workers and mandatory coverage of any work through contracts.
Sheela Singh meets the domestic workers in her province and gives a chance to each of these people to put forward their views to understand the current situation.
The first domestic servant says, “Now-a-days I stopped being particular about loyalty. I had my own share of experiences. There were times when one of the master’s home was robbed; the police interrogated me as well. They have behaved quite abnormally and almost made me accept the involvement. Now I have many houses to choose from. These days it seems people are earning a lot of money and also they need servants at home. Also there is a shortage of domestic servants in our area. If some one gives a particular amount, there will be some one else who will be interested in paying even more. Very soon I too will be able to buy a house for myself looking at the increasing payments made by the people. I am sure domestic servants need not be disheartened by all the problems they are facing, but be happy with hope looking at the emerging scenario. The future is bright for the domestic servants. There is lot of money in the profession and very soon there will be many desperate people looking for dedicated servants.”
Another one says, “I am not sure what that future is, but I am sure I will lose my kids to malnutrition very soon if I do not get sufficient funds to take care of them. The masters do not even ask the condition of my kids when I tell them the problems. They are least interested in my problems. They just do not want me to even skip a single day at their home. I do not have any good feelings for them. I always hate them though I continue working. I do not have an option as I need money to run my home. I do not understand how people can be so tough to the fellow human beings just because they are financially poorer.”
Sheela moves across the country and goes to different slum areas and meets many more domestic servants. The complaints across different states in the country are similar.
Following are the woes of the servants as communicated to Sheela
“I was suspected for a theft though I have dedicated myself to the families I served. I was interrogated by the police.”
“I was wrongly framed for some crime in my locality.”
“My child was not treated properly in any hospital and none of the families have actively helped me though I am working for them sincerely.”
“I was not paid my due showing different wrong reasons after I have put up so much effort for the entire month”
“I was beaten and abused by a rich family. I do not know whom to complain.”
Sheela is now determined to help all the domestic servants and ensure that the profession is institutionalized through the contract system. But she is not sure how long the process will take. After all the entire rich class in the country abuse the domestic servants and it is these people who should finally give their stamp for such laws. But Sheela is not going to be cowed down due to difficulties in the system. She wants to fight till her last breath for the rights of the domestic servants. If she does not do it, who else will? She, being from the same background knows the pain better than anyone else.
Sheela Singh's resolve must be commended, because when many people achieve name and fame, they tend to forget their humble beginnings.
I think the way forward is to treat domestic service as employees - with all the rights and priviliges (as well as responsibilities) we give to employees in the private sector. Which must include, of course, a minimum wage and a decent standard of living.
Because, in a poor coutry like India where there is a great deal of unemployment, many persons are forced to take up domestic service as a livelihood.
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