Domestic Workers demand bill

During the Hyderabad meeting, participants highlighted pressing issues such as low and irregular wages, long working hours, lack of social security, and absence of legal recognition. They urged Telangana legislators to raise the matter in the Assembly and introduce a Domestic Workers Bill to guarantee minimum wages, decent working conditions, and social security protections 

metro india news  I hyderabad

Domestic workers in Telangana have stepped up their demand for legal recognition and protection, urging the state government to introduce the Telangana Domestic Workers Bill 2026 in the Assembly. The Gruhakarmikula Union Telangana State (GUTS), along with allied organizations, organized a public meeting at the Basheerbagh Press Club in Hyderabad on Saturday, where a large gathering of domestic worker women highlighted their concerns. Similar events were held in Suryapet, Wanaparthy, Sangareddy, Patancheruvu, and other districts, signaling a statewide push for reform.

GUTS, representing over 14,000 domestic workers, has long called for a comprehensive law to safeguard the rights of nearly 11 lakh domestic workers in Telangana. Most of these workers are women from marginalized communities, including Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minorities. The union emphasized that their demand aligns with India’s commitment to the International Labour Organization’s Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and Recommendation 201, adopted in 2011. Despite being a signatory, India has yet to ratify the convention or enact national laws to ensure fair working conditions for nearly 30 million domestic workers across the country.

The need for urgent legislation was reinforced by a landmark Supreme Court judgment delivered on 29 January 2025, which recognized the widespread exploitation and legal invisibility of domestic workers. The Court directed the Central Government to initiate national legislation for legal protection and social security, while emphasizing that state governments must enact measures to protect domestic workers within their jurisdictions.

During the Hyderabad meeting, participants highlighted pressing issues such as low and irregular wages, long working hours, lack of social security, and absence of legal recognition. They urged Telangana legislators to raise the matter in the Assembly and introduce a Domestic Workers Bill to guarantee minimum wages, decent working conditions, and social security protections. Following the meeting, domestic workers held a postcard campaign from the Press Club to the Abids General Post Office, sending messages to the Chief Minister, Anumula Revanth Reddy, calling for the passage of the bill in the upcoming Assembly session starting 16 March.

The union expressed hope that Telangana would lead in progressive labor reforms. They recalled that undivided Andhra Pradesh had been among the first states to include domestic workers under the Minimum Wages schedule, inspiring similar measures elsewhere. The members stressed that a comprehensive law would ensure dignity, fair wages, and social security for domestic workers across the state, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.