Karnataka Domestic Workers draft bill mandates written agreement, registration, minimum wage
Bengaluru: According to the Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) draft bill, domestic workers cannot be employed without a written agreement between employers and workers, and employers who violate the provisions could face penalties, including imprisonment for up to three months.
The draft, prepared by the Labour Department, cited by Deccan Herald, was made public on Wednesday. It outlines several key provisions aimed at ensuring fair treatment for domestic workers, such as mandating minimum wages, reasonable working hours, overtime pay, and providing benefits like rest periods, annual leave, and maternity benefits. Citizens will have a month’s time to submit suggestions or objections.
One of the major aspects of the draft is the regulation of working hours. The bill stipulates that the total working hours per week cannot exceed 48 hours. It also ensures that workers receive either a full-day holiday or two half-day holidays each week.
The draft defines “domestic worker” as one employed for domestic work either directly or indirectly, or through a contract or a digital platform, who works for remuneration for one or more employers by staying at the household premises or otherwise. This can include part-time or full-time workers, as well as casual, temporary, piece-meal, gig work, and migrant workers.
A crucial aspect of the bill is the mandatory registration of both domestic workers and their employers. As per the draft, if a domestic worker is illiterate or a migrant, the employer, service provider, or placement agency must ensure that the worker is registered within one month of starting employment. Employers are required to complete their registration within the same timeframe, while service providers must register within a month of the commencement of the act.
In cases where a domestic worker changes their place of employment or migrates, they must inform the registration authorities within 30 days.
Another significant provision in the draft targets the protection of vulnerable workers. Anyone found sending women or girls for immoral purposes, abusing or illegally confining domestic workers, or using children as domestic workers could face prison sentences ranging from three to seven years, along with fines up to Rs 50,000.
The draft also mandates the creation of the Karnataka State Domestic Workers Social Security and Welfare Board. This board will will administer and monitor the Domestic Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund. It will have equal representation from domestic workers, employers, service providers, placement agencies, and government officials.
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Kasaragod: District Collector’s office receives bomb threat from Ukraine
Kasaragod: Security was stepped up at the Kasaragod District Collector’s office after an email warning of a bomb threat was received on Friday evening.
Officials said the message prompted an immediate response from the police, who alerted senior officers and rushed security teams to the spot. The bomb disposal squad and dog squad were also pressed into service.
A detailed search was carried out inside the Collector’s office and in the surrounding premises. Police later confirmed that no explosives or suspicious items were found during the operation.
Preliminary investigation showed that the threat email originated from Ukraine. Police have begun efforts to trace the sender and verify the source of the message.
