Domestic Workers Seek Housing, Health Cover

Hyderabad: Domestic helps from across the state demanded that the government allot them double‑bedroom houses and health cover under the Employees State Insurance (ESI). About 1,500 workers gathered at Dharna Chowk on Tuesday to press their demands. They sought decent work conditions, comprehensive legislation for social protection and recognition of labour rights. Telangana has approximately 1.2 lakh domestic workers.

The workers pointed out that no comprehensive survey has been conducted in India to enumerate domestic workers, though conservative estimates place the number at 3–4 crore nationwide. They said the majority are women from SC, ST, BC and minority communities, many of them single mothers and sole breadwinners. Domestic work remains a major source of livelihood in urban areas, yet workers lack recognition and protection. They added that even the new labour codes promised to cover unorganised workers but failed to address domestic work.

Madhavi, a domestic worker from Maredpally, told the gathering: “For the last 10 years we are fighting for ESI but no government did anything for us. They come, speak, take votes, get to the chair and forget about the people.”

Workers said the pandemic worsened their plight, with many losing jobs. Those above 45 years struggle to find employment. Living in slums and poor habitats, they pay hefty rents that eat into meagre incomes. During illness, they bear medical expenses themselves, often beyond their means. They noted that Aarogyasri and Ayushman Bharat schemes lack outpatient coverage and do not cover common illnesses, forcing them to depend on costly private healthcare.