Domestic workers in Gurgaon conducted participatory safety assessments of their neighbourhoods and their walk to work, documenting the various kinds of harassment they face, every day. They prepared a map of outlining the workplaces of the group and how safe/unsafe they feel.
According to the narrative of the workers, they fear going to work because they are harassed --by guards, housekeeping staff, taxi drivers, men loitering on the roads, and unfortunately even their own employers.
Women domestic workers in Gurgaon experience myriad forms of harassment.
- Full time domestic help are not allowed to go outside the employers house
- Minor domestic workers are locked up in the house when the family goes out
- Part time domestic workers are not given food or water/ stale food served at times. They are also not allowed to bring their own food to eat at work.
- Threats and verbal abuse (sexual) by employers
- Domestic workers are not allowed to go to places/recreational facilities in apartments (can accompany employer's children)
- Guards call employers to confirm about salary payment, only then domestic workers are allowed to go home.
- Non-payment of salary on time
- Constant suspicious treatment by employer at work
- For the same money, they are asked to do more work.
- They are not entitled to leaves and employers replace them easily if they fall sick without compensating or giving them notice
- Physically checked at the entry gates everyday. Their purses are also checked (more than Rs 100 is not allowed inside many apartment complexes)
- During winters, rape and murder are common events.
- Unfriendly police. A domestic worker was arrested by the police after 6 p.m. on suspicion of stealing. No female police officer was present at the time of arrest.
- Guards seek favors for getting employment
- Stalking, lewd sexual remarks are very common. Voyeurism on way to work and back by guards, maintenance staff and cab drivers.
Some domestic workers shared stories of how badly their co-workers are treated. One maid, accused of stealing, was stripped naked in front of everyone. Another was found dead in her employer's home a few days after she joined work. Even their daughters are not safe. A nine-year-old daughter of a domestic maid was abducted and raped, found on the roadside. Families do not file a police complaint fearing the unfriendly police.
Watch a short documentary highlighting the daily struggle of domestic workers on their way to work:
https://www.youtube.com/user/PRIAIndia/search?query=domestic+workers
On the occassion of International Women's Day, these domestic workers shared their experiences with the Chairperson of the Local Committee, Gurgaon district, Mrs Anuradha Sharma.
