Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru Gruha Karmikara Trade Union Sangha has urged the State Government to extend financial assistance to domestic helpers (maids/ servants) in view of Corona lockdown.

Addressing a press conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan in city on Tuesday, Sangha Hon. President Shobha said: “Thousands of domestic helpers in the region including Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar are facing a lot of financial crisis following the pandemic. In the month of March itself, they have been told by their employers not to come to work, as they visit multiple houses. Thousands of domestic helpers are dependent upon this income to run their families. Most of them are not even able to pay their rents and their employers have not offered any financial help.”

Urging the State Government to announce a relief package to domestic workers, she said: “This crisis has made their lives miserable. The State Government has recently announced a lockdown relief package in which construction workers, drivers and others would get Rs. 5,000 each as a one-time relief. Similar measures should be taken for domestic servants as well.”

Speaking on the occasion, Gruha Karmikara Sangha Secretary Chandramma said, “District administration has instructed domestic workers in unorganised sector to get smartcards. In Mysuru district, 1,250 domestic workers have applied for smartcard, but as of now, only 84 of them have received it. If there is such a delay in issuing smartcard, in what way it is going to help? Hence, the State Government should instruct the authorities concerned to issue smartcards without further delay.”

Trade Union Convenor Nalini said, “A large section of domestic workers who are working in the unorganised sector are facing violence and aggression every day, but to due to fear of losing their job and shame, these cases never come to light. Government has decided to fix a minimum wage of Rs. 52 per hour for domestic workers. Even if a domestic worker works for three hours in a house, she will only get Rs. 700 to 800 per month. If they work for 8 hours a day, they should at least get Rs. 10,000 per month.”

Mysuru Gruha Karmikara Trade Union Sangha office-bearers Girijamma and Mangala Gowri have urged the authorities to frame some guidelines for domestic workers in unorganised sector and demanded benefits such as annual leave, PF, weekly offs and monthly pension of Rs. 300.