The Silent Sufferers

By Narayanan Kizhumundayur

Domestic workers form an essential part of households across the world. From sweeping floors and washing dishes to taking care of children, the elderly, and the disabled, they perform numerous tasks that make daily life easier for their employers. However, despite their indispensable contributions, they remain one of the most vulnerable and neglected groups of workers. Domestic work is often undervalued, unregulated, and even invisible in many societies. Most domestic workers come from impoverished backgrounds and take up such jobs out of necessity rather than choice. They are frequently subjected to low wages, excessive workloads, abuse, and lack of legal protection. What makes their plight worse is that many governments fail to acknowledge their rights as workers, leaving them trapped in a cycle of exploitation. It is essential that governments and societies recognize the sufferings of domestic workers—men, women, and children alike—and take immediate steps to ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being.

Unlike other workers who have defined work shifts, domestic workers are often expected to be available from dawn to midnight—or even round the clock in cases where they live in their employers’ homes. There is no concept of “office hours” for them. Some start their day before sunrise, preparing breakfast, cleaning the house, and running errands, and their tasks continue well into the night. Many employers feel entitled to their worker’s time, demanding that they be available for all kinds of tasks, from massaging their feet to running last-minute errands at odd hours. This relentless workload leads to severe physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and chronic health problems.

Domestic work is among the lowest-paid jobs in many parts of the world. Wages are often determined arbitrarily by employers, who pay whatever they feel is “sufficient.” In many cases, domestic workers are paid well below the minimum wage required by labor laws. Some employers refuse to pay wages on time, reducing payments for trivial reasons or withholding them altogether as a form of punishment. Since most domestic workers are employed informally and lack proper contracts, they have no legal recourse to claim their rightful earnings. Women and migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to wage theft. In extreme cases, some domestic workers are not paid at all and are treated like bonded laborers or modern-day slaves.

One of the gravest issues faced by domestic workers is abuse at the hands of their employers. Many endure verbal insults, belittling remarks, and constant humiliation. They are yelled at, criticized, and treated as inferior human beings simply because of their socio-economic background. Physical abuse is another horrifying reality. Some workers, particularly live-in maids, have been beaten, slapped, and even tortured by their employers. Cases of women being burned with hot water, locked in rooms without food, or being thrown out onto the streets after an argument are not uncommon. Women and young girls are especially vulnerable to sexual harassment and assault. Many have been exploited by male employers or other family members in the household. Fear of losing their jobs, social stigma, and lack of legal support force them to suffer in silence.

One of the darkest aspects of domestic work is child labor. Millions of children worldwide work as domestic servants, often under cruel conditions. These children—sometimes as young as five or six—are deprived of education, proper nutrition, and emotional care. They are forced to carry out heavy tasks such as scrubbing floors, lifting water buckets, washing clothes, and cooking meals. Many work from morning till night, with no time to play, rest, or attend school. They are vulnerable to physical abuse and often receive beatings for making minor mistakes. Child domestic workers lose their innocence and childhood in a world that treats them as mere laborers. Instead of learning and growing in a nurturing environment, they are pushed into a life of hardship and servitude.

Unlike workers in other sectors, domestic workers have no job security. They can be dismissed at any moment without notice or compensation. If they fall sick, take a leave, or ask for a salary raise, they risk being fired immediately. Most domestic workers do not receive health benefits, pensions, or insurance. If they meet with an accident or develop a serious illness, they are left to struggle on their own without medical aid. Older workers who can no longer perform physically demanding tasks are often discarded without any retirement benefits, leaving them to live their remaining years in extreme poverty.

Domestic workers are often treated as second-class citizens. Many employers do not allow them to eat at the same table, use the same utensils, or even sit on the same furniture. In some societies, they are forced to use separate washrooms or enter the house through the back door. They are made to feel inferior, as if their existence is only meant to serve others. This discrimination erodes their self-esteem and reinforces a class divide that denies them the basic respect they deserve as human beings.

The injustices faced by domestic workers demand urgent action. Governments across the world must recognize them as formal laborers and extend labor rights to them, including a legally mandated minimum wage, fixed working hours, weekly rest days, annual leave, and compensation for unfair dismissal. Strict laws must be enforced to prohibit child labor in domestic work. Instead of sending children to work, governments should provide financial assistance to poor families so that children can attend school and receive an education. Strong legal action must be taken against employers who physically or sexually abuse domestic workers. Helplines, complaint centers, and women’s protection agencies should be established to assist victims. Employers found guilty of mistreatment should face fines, imprisonment, and permanent bans from hiring domestic workers.

Domestic workers must be provided with social security benefits, including health insurance, medical aid, pension schemes, housing, and compensation for workplace injuries. Governments, NGOs, and social organizations must conduct awareness campaigns to educate employers on treating domestic workers with dignity and fairness. People must be made aware that domestic workers are not inferior beings but equal members of society.

Domestic workers are an integral part of many households, yet they remain among the most exploited and oppressed individuals in society. Their silent suffering must end. Governments must take immediate action to provide them with the rights and dignity they deserve. A society that neglects its most vulnerable members is not a civilized one. If we truly wish to progress as a just and fair society, we must ensure that no domestic worker is treated as a slave, that no child is forced into labor, and that every human being is given the dignity, respect, and justice they deserve. It is time to break the silence. It is time to act.

Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer 

• The author is Thrissur(Kerala)based Accountant and a Freelance writer in English & Malayalam

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