Bengaluru: When 42-year-old Ganga, a domestic worker in apartment complexes and houses in and around Kathalipalya, was asked whether she heard about the Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, she looked puzzled.

“What bill?,” she asked. Ganga had not heard of it. Even if she did, she would not have understood it. The draft law, available only in English, was published quietly on the labour department website in October, without a Kannada version.

Even as the draft bill is seen as a welcome step towards providing domestic workers dignity, unions say it may not serve its purpose due to several gaps in the draft law.

For a sector which employs lakhs of women who keep Bengaluru’s homes and apartments running, the lack of awareness about a historic law speaks volumes.

See Full Page