HYDERABAD: An independent enquiry conducted by the National Workers’ Movement (NWM) members into the recent case of domestic help, who was physically assaulted and traumatised by her employer in the city, has revealed that from past four years the domestic worker was not paid. The woman was tortured, allegedly by putting chilli powder in her private parts and filming her in nude. Condemning the brutal assault, the Telangana Workers’ Union will be taking the matter to the DGP.
She was allowed to take only one week off a month, against the mandated four days per month according to Minimum Wages Act 1948, which has been adopted by both the Telugu states in 2007. The matter will be taken to the Labour Court in the next two days.
“The family is traumatised and is living in fear. They also shifted their home and are currently living in a single room with no bathroom. They suspect that they are being tracked. The victim's husband is not going for work fearing danger from employer’s family,” said Sr Lizzie Joseph, the regional coordinator, NWM, Telangana.
Joseph has taken up the case personally and will be organising a meeting with the victim and other domestic workers to ensure that the victim feels safe. Joseph who met the victim said that she was treated inhumanly and the sole intention of the employer was to make her work like a bonded labourer.
“Her daughter was threatened with rape by the employer’s family members. She is completely broken,” added Joseph. The NWM will hold an awareness programme in the victim’s area to ensure that the community members understand the concerns of domestic workers.