In continuation to our notice to MAUD Secretary based upon Memo No. 3654/General/2020 Dated: 06-05-2020, further, the following need prompt attention: Let us take the Covid19 crisis as an opportunity to rectify the governance lapses.
I
a) As per Section 6 and Section 8 of Chapter 3 of Domestic Workers Act Registration of Domestic workers is mandatory. As well as, establishing State Advisory Committee and District Domestic Labour Welfare Board is mandatory with domestic workers, employers and state government as members.
Thus, we urge you to confirm the registration of all domestic workers of Telangana. Further, constitute the Boards, if constituted put them in the public domain on the website and convene the State advisory meeting and District Board meetings immediately.
b) As per Section 19 of Chapter 4, “There shall be formed a Fund, to be called the Domestic workers’ Welfare Fund”. As per 19(2) the fund shall be used for the welfare of domestic workers: “The Fund shall be administered and applied by the district Board to meet the expenditure incurred in connection with measures and facilities which, in its opinion is necessary or expedient to promote the welfare of domestic workers.”
c) Further as per Chapter 5 Registration of domestic workers as beneficiaries Section 20 states that all workers registered under the DW Act would be beneficiaries entitled to the Fund.
“Subject to the provisions of this Act, every domestic worker registered as a beneficiary under this Act shall be entitled to the benefits provided by the Board from its Fund under this Act.
Every domestic worker who has completed eighteen years of age, but has not
completed sixty-five years of age, and who has been engaged in any domestic work for not less than ninety days during the preceding twelve months shall be eligible for registration as a beneficiary under this Act.“
Hence, we urge you now to place in public domain the Domestic workers Welfare Fund details, and give the money to Domestic Workers so that they pay their rents, and have good food and improve their immunity to resist Covid19 coronavirus. This is their entitlement and this fund should have been distributed by now with utmost transparency. But, alas.
II.
Define Dwelling Unit and lay down Dwelling Unit of any person as a boundary outside of which face cover/mask is mandatory that includes common spaces within apartments and public places outside of the common spaces.
III.
Two critical issues stand out regarding face cover/mask to be addressed on war-footing.
Firstly, the gullible public is being offered low-filter level face cover/mask in the market. Secondly, the general public including street vendors who are among our front liners have not been made aware of how to use the face cover/mask and how to re-use it.
As face cover/mask is highly recommended by WHO and top medical bodies of India, availability of good standard re-usable face cover/mask as well as dissemination of information on hygienic use of face cover/mask should be promptly attended to.
Please acknowledge receipt. Implementation expected on war-footing.
Best,
Dr Lubna Sarwath, Socialist Party (India), Telangana State General Secretary, Hyderabad
Gopal Patangay, State Vice-President, SP(I), Hyderabad
Maqbool Mateen, President, United Citizens Forum
