COVID-19 and Informal Labour: A Study of Women Domestic Workers

Women constitute 48.04 per cent of the total population of India as per the Census 2011. In India, private domestic work operates as an informal, unregulated sector with limited work opportunities for females upto a particular age. As per International Labour Organization (ILO), Domestic work refers to housework such as sweeping, cleaning utensils, washing clothes, cooking, caring of children and such other work which is carried out for an employer for remuneration. It provides an important livelihood source for illiterate women or those with very little education and is an increasingly common employment option for millions of poor women and girls – despite the low wages and employment insecurity. The present study has taken into account the impact of COVID-19 on the female domestic workers who work without any social and economic security. The primary respondents for the study were the female domestic helps working in the urban areas of Jammu district in J&K. The primary data has been supplemented with secondary sources including related reports, journals, and published articles. Legislative and administrative loopholes have also been taken into account and the policy suggestions have been put forward.