Minimum wages for domestic workers soon: Minister

Hyderabad, Aug 21 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Labour and Employment G Vinod today informed the Assembly that minimum wages would be fixed for domestic workers soon.

Replying to a question by CPI(M) Members M A Gafoor, Nomula Narasimhaiah and others during the Question Hour, the Minister said a Social Security and Welfare Scheme was under formulation for the domestic workers and minimum rate of wages fixed soon.

The Minister said employment of domestic workers was added to Part-I to the schedule of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 vide a GO issued on July 6, 2006 and accordingly the process of fixing wages was underway.

Earlier, Mr Gafoor claimed over two lakh minors were employed as domestic help and were being subjected to atrocities and harassment.

He questioned the government on the delay in fixing the minimum wages though such regulations were in force in states like Kerala.

The CPI(M) member also wanted ESI facility for them.

The Minister said a notificaion had already been issued calling for objections within two months and the entire process fixing minimum wages completed in three to four months.

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