NCW demands legislation to check abuse of women domestic workers

New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) Alarmed by the increasing abuse of women domestic workers, the National Commission for Women (NCW) today demanded a legislation to regularise placement agencies, which employ them, and check their exploitation.

''The Commission for some time has been aware about the problems of women domestic workers, particularly from other states, working in Delhi.... A national legislation is required to address this,'' NCW chairperson Girija Vyas told a news conference after chairing a meeting with various stakeholders on the issue.

''Trafficking of women is happening openly and we have to stop it. A legislation will go a long way in fixing responsibility,'' she added.

The Commission found out the domestic workers lived in appalling conditions and were not provided food and basic health care by the placement agencies, Ms Vyas said.

She said after raids and surprise checks of the placement agencies the Commission had found out that about 50 per cent women domestic workers were minors and their were no records or documents to prove their age.

The Chairperson said the meeting had suggested measures to regularise the agencies ensure safety and basic human rights of the workers.

The suggestions included a licensing system for the placement agencies with conditions, punishment for violators of the conditions and unlicensed agencies, maintaining proper records, repatriation of of all minor girls and infrastructure monitoring.

The stakeholders' meeting was attended by representatives from NGOs, placement agencies and Delhi Commission for Women. However, Delhi Government officials were conspicuous by their absence.

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