Why domestic workers need to be encouraged?
The community of domestic workers is a very large group present all over the world from time immemorial. The caste system, the practice of slavery and the gender discrimination over centuries have not allowed domestic workers to surface from the sea of their problems. It is convenient not to recognize such a class of people irrespective of their numbers; it easily sanctifies the unjust practices of domination over such a group and exploitations of their energy through unregulated labour practices.
Domestic workers, whether well or ill, toil day in and out at their workplace and at home, for little pay or no pay. They are at the mercy of their employer. They are a class of people that are illiterate, unskilled and not organized enough to assert a common demand for just wages, human treatment and work regularization. They hardly have time to think anything other than to fulfill all their work, provide for their families, mitigate sufferings arising out of poverty, illness, alcoholism, and unemployment of their husbands/fathers, domestic violence and other tensions.
In the face of a new scenario of the domestic worker, it is very important that some among them begin to see visions of new horizons of hope anchored amidst disturbed waters. While we launch towards a vast sea, at least some members in the boat should be able to see the shores ahead. The captain of the boat needs t give right directions.
We need leaders who will lead the crowd with a clear vision, unifying spirit, right motivation and creative strategies. The leader of the group needs to ensure that every member who follows shares the vision is willing to get challenged and will walk the extra mile that maybe needed to reach the goal. How shall w e do this? It is like getting every candle lit with the same flame. It calls for constant and untiring commitment of n the part of the leader to reach every wick, to share that flame of fire that will light every candle, fanning to flame every ashy wick, counting on good will, promoting courage in the face of failures and disappointments, standing by the worker in need, applauding creativity, the willingness to walk the extra mile for the group and face hardship on the way – all these are part of the chosen journey.
Is this not a challenge, a call within a call to raise the hope of a marginalized community, to stand by them as they walk the unknown path and to share with them the joy of being a liberated people? Is it not contentment to recognize their potential, a fulfillment of having asserted their rights, an inner peace of having begun to walk the path of true humility?
It is fitting therefore for some of us to become that candidate who dethrones herself/himself of the possible power and position, who wills to sit beside the suffering human, and walk along with these millions who may otherwise not be allowed to reach the goal. Life is unique and let us live it to the full, give it to the one most in need, leads the one lost on their way, preparing the one most difficult and least assertive. There lies your patience and skill, participation should be your vocabulary, assertion your strategy, seeing visions your goal and organization your method.
Let us arise and make our demands known and heard. Let our domestic workers be prepared to present their story, encouraged to press their demands and motivated to make their assertion suitable.
Courtesy: Sr. Lissy Joseph
Domestic Workers Link.