Blows of Discrimination Against Domestic Workers
In Indian society, the division of class, privilege, and money is crystal clear.We have been taught to put individuals into a category from the way they dress, talk, walk and behave. The two categories that are often used for classification of individuals are that of an owner and a servant. No, not an employee but a servant. A word very often used for domestic workers.
A typical Indian Middle-class household seldom has the help of domestic workers to help them with their daily chores and run errands. These workers are given utmost importance for how much they make the lives of their employers easier. But, they also suffer blows of discrimination from the same employer for whom they work.
Every day I observe a lot of families that are privileged enough to have a car and a driver to drive them around. This is what their usual routine looks like-
They arrive between 7:00 to 7:30 am, clean the car inside-out and then wait until the owner or a member of the family comes out and gets in the car. They arrive again in the afternoon for their lunch break. Some of them have lunch in the car and some on the porch of unoccupied houses. They drive back again with another member of the family with a different car or the same member as earlier that morning (too much observation I know).
What I have come to notice is that these drivers don’t have a place to sit, relax or have lunch until the car is needed again. They simply stand outside the house waiting for the next trip. They aren’t even offered a chair to sit on or a decent place to have their lunch.
I even overheard a lady say “Chalo Driver” in a snobbish tone.
Here’s another instance of this blow. The housing society has two main gates. Both of these gates have arm barriers controlled by the watchmen. Whenever a resident of the society heads out these barriers are pulled up. But whenever a house worker or a driver is on their way out they have to squeeze through the small space beside these barriers. Why are the arm barriers not lifted for the domestic worker?
And the most common of them all. Whenever a maid goes around sweeping or mopping the house someone is asked to keep an eye on them just in case they don’t steal anything. A classic example of this can be found in the movie Piku where the maid mentions “Ek toh jab hum pocha karte hai na, apna ganda joota se piche se checking krte chalte hai. Jaise hum pata nahi ka choora rahe ho” (whenever I’m mopping, he follows me around to make sure I’m not stealing anything)
These are a few of the many instances that happen every day and even fewer people address them and talk about these issues. The question arises what can we do to prevent this in the future? What can we do so the next generation is much more thoughtful and sensitive? Here are some of the solutions that I can think of:
- Addressing domestic workers by their name instead of ‘watchman’ or ‘Bai’
- Giving them a few days off
- Helping them in a non-monetary way For eg. helping them get a medical checkup
- Most importantly respecting them
There are a few movies that bring forth a unique story and perspective about the lives of domestic workers and the struggles they face at the hands of society. I believe cinema is a great way to convey messages so I would urge you to watch the below-mentioned movies.
Jalsa- starring Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah
Sir- starring Tillotama Shome and Vivek Gomber
Both of these beautiful, mind-blowing, and a little heartbreaking stories will forever make a place in your heart. Lastly, I think it’s important for us to note that just because someone is working under us doesn’t mean they are below us.
