SEWA Kerala conducts campaigns and dialogue to advance recognition and decent work for domestic workers

SEWA Kerala conducted a series of campaigns under the theme "Declare Home as a Workplace” in celebration of the International Domestic Workers' Day on 16 June 2025, encouraging employers to declare their homes as fair workplaces by ensuring the protection of domestic workers’ rights, respect for their dignity, and fair wages. The campaign mobilized domestic workers, trade unions, residents’ welfare associations, and employers’ organizations across the state of Kerala. The campaigns directly reached out to the employers, fostering open communication and raising awareness about the rights and working conditions of domestic workers. As a result of these efforts, some workers were able to secure an increase in their wage.

SEWA Kerala also organized the Stakeholder Consultation on the Legislative Framework for Domestic Workers on 18 June 2025 in collaboration with the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The roundtable brought together key stakeholders – employers’ associations, residents’ groups, and trade unions – to gather perspectives concerning the promotion of decent work for domestic workers.

The representatives of residents’ associations and employer groups showed interest and willingness to engage on the issues, marking a constructive step toward mutual understanding and shared responsibility.

Representatives from SEWA shared their lived experiences and the transformative impact of collective organizing. Trade union leaders from Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) called for full legal recognition and labour rights for domestic workers, affirming the sector’s role in sustaining livelihoods.

The participants put forth recommendations, such as formally recognizing domestic workers as legitimate members of the workforce, extending comprehensive legal and social protection to domestic workers to safeguard their dignity, welfare, and job security, and the regulating the placement agencies to promote fair recruitment, decent wage, and effective grievance handling.

Through ILO’s support, SEWA Kerala will continue to advocate for inclusive dialogue and legislative reform—laying the foundation for the formal recognition, voice, and protection of domestic workers.