Bengaluru: The govt is preparing to roll out a dedicated welfare board aimed at protecting rights of domestic workers across the state, mirroring existing welfare mechanisms for gig, transport, and construction workers. The new law will address both welfare of workers and the safety of employers—particularly senior citizens. The labour department is in the process of drafting Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025. A draft notification will soon be released, inviting public feedback and objections. Labour minister Santosh Lad said the govt plans to introduce the bill in the upcoming winter session of the legislature, with an ordinance expected as early as Oct. “Unlike laws for the welfare of transport and gig workers, safety of employers, especially senior citizens, comes into picture when it comes to protecting the employment rights of domestic workers,” Lad said. “Criminal activities such as human trafficking and sexual harassment should also be curbed. The bill will cover all these aspects.” The law will apply to domestic workers engaged in tasks such as cooking, mopping, cleaning, washing utensils and clothes, childcare, and elderly care. In addition to ensuring minimum wages and a 40-hour work week, the bill proposes social security measures like health and life insurance, pension, accident benefits, and maternity/paternity benefits. A new regulatory board will be constituted under the law, which will comprise govt officials, representatives from domestic worker unions, recruitment agencies, digital platforms, and residential welfare associations. It will also act as a quasi-judicial authority, with powers of a civil court, to handle disputes and grievances. The proposed legislation makes registration mandatory for all domestic workers, and mandates that employers, placement agencies, and digital platforms hire only registered individuals. It also requires that a formal agreement be signed between employers and employees, detailing all terms and conditions. Failure to comply with these provisions could result in imprisonment up to six months and fines ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Welcoming the move, Geeta Menon, joint secretary, Domestic Workers Rights Union, highlighted the long-standing demand for such legislation. “In Jan, the Supreme Court had ordered states to constitute expert committees and implement laws to protect rights of domestic employees within six months,” Menon said. “The Karnataka govt is now taking the initiative. The new law should be comprehensive enough to cover all aspects including funds for the welfare board.” While there is no official data on the number of domestic workers in the state, estimates suggest the figure is around 10 lakh. To finance the board’s operations, the govt is exploring options such as a 1% welfare cess on property tax and a 5% welfare fee on wages paid by employers and placement agencies. K Mahantesh, state secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), urged Karnataka to follow the example set by other states. “Karnataka should emulate Tamil Nadu as it has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the welfare of domestic workers. Even Maharashtra and Kerala have put in place workable mechanisms,” he said
