Navi Mumbai: Nearly 800 women domestic workers from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Khopoli gathered in Vashi on Tuesday to participate in the “Domestic Workers’ Parliament,” demanding immediate legal protection and recognition of their rights.
The event was jointly organized by YUVA and the Maharashtra Domestic Workers’ Coordination Committee to mark International Domestic Workers’ Day, observed globally on 16 June.
The Parliament also marked the culmination of the statewide campaign “Aapla Khasdar – Pratibadh Khasdar” (“Our MP – Committed MP”), which began on 1 June, to press for urgent legislation safeguarding domestic workers’ rights.
Nearly 800 Women Attend Domestic Workers’ Parliament in Navi Mumbai on International Domestic Workers’ Day 2025 | File Photo
In his keynote address, retired Justice B.G. Kolse-Patil encouraged domestic workers to prioritize their children's education and continue advocating for their rights. Referring to the recent Supreme Court judgment directing the Government of India to enact comprehensive legislation for domestic workers, he urged participants to remain united and active in the movement to ensure implementation.
A powerful session titled “Meri Kahani, Meri Zubani” (“My Story, In My Own Words”) featured six domestic workers who shared deeply personal stories. These included instances of being falsely accused of theft, lack of educational access for their children, unsafe work environments, and the absence of pension or old-age security. Their testimonies underscored the urgent need for legal safeguards and workplace dignity.
On the occasion, awareness reels depicting the real-life struggles of domestic workers were released. Uday Bhat, Convenor of the Maharashtra Domestic Workers’ Coordination Committee, pointed out that six months have passed since the Supreme Court ruling and called for proactive engagement with the Committee. He also stressed the need to effectively implement the Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Board Act (2008).
Prominent voices including senior High Court advocate Gayatri Singh, Maharashtra Mahila Parishad’s Neela Limaye, and a senior journalist addressed the audience, all reinforcing the demand that domestic workers be formally recognised as workers and provided full labour rights, legal protection, and dignity.
The programme began with performances of awareness songs and a collective reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, setting the tone for a day of solidarity, reflection, and renewed commitment to the rights of domestic workers.
