Domestic helps want social security; fixation of minimum wages

A large number of domestic helps staged a sit-in here today in front of the Thane District Collectorate demanding better social security measures alongwith minimum fixation of wages.

The sit-in organised by Gharelu Kamghar Sangh (affiliated to Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh) saw housemaids shouting slogans, carrying flags displaying their demands while wearing banners.

A delegation of the Sangh led by General Seceretary Bharat Godabme met the District Collector and submitted a memorandum demanding better amenities and security to the maids.

According to Godambe, there are nearly three lakh maid servants working in the urban and rural regions of Thane.

The demands of the agitating domestic workers include pension, gratuity, free education to children, free medical benefits, weekly offs alongwith national holidays and 15 days sick leave in a year among others.

The workers also demanded immediate issuance of identity cards and also fixation of minimum wages and issue of Yellow ration cards.