K’taka HC issues notice to state and central govts on PIL seeking direction for registration of domestic workers

Bengaluru: Seeking direction for registration of domestic workers under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, and Unorganised Workers’ Social Security (Karnataka) Rules, 2009, a notice has been issued to the state and central governments by the Karnataka High Court.

The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, and Unorganised Workers’ Social Security (Karnataka) Rules, 2009 provides registration of the workers and benefits under various schemes.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum issued the notice after hearing the PIL filed by Domestic Workers’ Rights Union. The petition stated that, as per National Sample Survey, 39 lakh people — 13 lakh male and 26 lakh female — are employed as domestic workers by private households, though the actual number is likely to be much more.

The petitioner contended that it has submitted a representation to the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board, raising a number of issues faced by domestic workers and seeking an appointment to discuss holding of a tripartite workshop but there was no response.