The Government is considering extending the
benefits of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to the domestic workers
in the country. In their first report, the Task Force
on Domestic Workers has, inter-alia, made following recommendations:
(i) Extension of the welfare schemes to the
domestic workers including Health and Maternity benefit, Death and Disability
benefit and old age benefits.
(ii) Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)
should be the first welfare scheme to be extended to the domestic workers. The
smart cards used under RSBY can later be used to load other welfare schemes
rolled out for domestic workers.
(iii) Domestic workers should be identified and
registered by the State Labour Department.
(iv) The domestic work should be included in
the Central List of scheduled employment vide a notification under the Minimum
Wages Act, 1948 for fixation and enforcement of minimum wages in respect of
domestic workers. The State Governments which have not fixed minimum wages for
domestic work should fix minimum rates of wages for domestic workers.
(v) Mandatory registration of all placement
agencies and individuals providing placement, sourcing and recruitment service
relating to domestic work under Shops and Establishment Act.
(vi) Formulation of National Policy for the Domestic Workers.
(vii) Scaling up of
the skill and re-skill training program initiated by International Labour Organization.
The proposal to extend RSBY to domestic workers is under
consideration of the Government. One of the recommendations of the Task Force
relates to mandatory registration of all placement agencies and individuals
providing placement, sourcing and recruitment service relating to domestic work
under Shops and Establishment Act. The recommendations of the Task Force are
being examined.
The Minister of Labour and Employment
Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in reply to a question in the Lok
Sabha.
YSK: PM
Task Force on Domestic Workers has recommended Extension of the welfare
