Detailing the experiences of the Domestic Workers Federation in Mumbai in building a collective, and developing a sense of dignity, solidarity and will to struggle on among domestic workers, Babli Rawat describes the challenges faced in building their confidence and their need to find roots in their daily concerns.

In October 2005, in Kolhapur, the author took up the challenge of organising domestic workers, and finding an appropriate authority to address the demands for their rights. This was difficult at first because of the facts that domestic workers work in different houses under different owners and that there is no single governing authority covering them, as in the case of women working in factories.

The number of domestic workers who attended the first meeting was just five. Each of them was requested to bring along at least one domestic worker for the next meeting. However, only one woman came for the next meeting and she said that if her owner became aware of the formation of a union of domestic workers, he would throw her out of work. This highlighted the danger of conducting any meeting near their workplaces. Their job security needed to be given top priority. Therefore, it was decided to conduct the meetings in a suitable park or garden.

Thirty to forty women participated in the next meeting, held in a nearby park. It was their first experience of a meeting being organised exclusively for them. They were curious and full of questions-what was the aim, and what were the benefits of such meetings? One of them asked, "Have you approached us with the intention of fighting elections?" The intention, however was to gain information about their work duration, number of houses they are employed in, the problems associated with their work, the challenges and difficulties faced by them at working place, and so on.

These women work because of the compulsion to fulfill the basic needs of their family; most of them do not even have primary education, their spouses are either alcoholics, unemployed or employed on daily wages. They prefer domestic work because of its easy availability. In their families, the number of consumers is more than the number of earners. These women make many sacrifices for their families. They wash utensils in different houses to feed those living there; however, those they serve do not recognise their contribution to the household.

A strategy emerged- no issues that would pit the union against individual employers would be taken up. Instead, pension would be demanded from the state government as well as that a Board be formed to monitor other welfare schemes for the domestic workers. Even this needed some convincing.

At the first rally, all the women were afraid and had only one request-that their photo should not be printed in the newspaper, because if their employers were to see their pictures, they would be dismissed from their job. One of the women did not want her picture to be shown on television because her son was ashamed that he is the son of a domestic worker, and was worried about how he would face people if they came to know this.

There was the other side too. Domestic workers were seeing themselves in such a large gathering for the first time. Their expectations soared. They felt whatever they were demanding would be granted immediately.

The fight, however, was a long one and after the initial success, the women started becoming skeptical about the union. They began to lose confidence. They wanted to know why the law was not being enacted. In the initial stage, 400 to 500 women used to attend the meetings. However this figure dropped to 100 to 150 as time passed. Without sufficient numbers, the union would collapse and would not be able to forge ahead. Discussions where therefore, held about issues related to their daily routine life. Many issues were thrown up: their housing, the use of banks, self-help groups, health, their children`s education, the problem of being accused of theft in the work-place and so on. Most of the women did not have ration cards because they lived in rented houses; those who did have ration cards did not get the allotted ration from the ration shops. The union approached the government. After a struggle, supply of rations to the shop became better and ration cards were issued even to those people, who were residing in rented houses. This experience was very enriching. After the initial resistance, the ration shopkeepers and the rationing officers started respecting the union leaders. The shopkeepers asked that they be provided with the lists of the union members, in order to ensure them a regular supply of food grains and kerosene. The union considered this offer and collectively took a decision NOT to accept this offer but to keep on fighting for everyone`s right for ration in the locality, whether they are members of the union or not.

The domestic workers were, initially, not health conscious. Discussions were held on the value of health. Free medical health camps and dispensaries were organised, in which all could avail of medication and treatment. In the cancer detection camp arranged by the union, four to five cases of cancer were detected early. Free medical treatment was provided to these women at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. They are getting proper medication and routine check-ups these days.

The biggest victory of the union was on 27 December 2008 when, in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), a Bill was passed for domestic workers. In reality, there is nothing special for workers in this Bill but it has boosted the morale and motivation of the union members. It has strengthened the belief that if they continue to fight, they will definitely secure their rights. The state government is now in the process of forming district-wise Welfare Boards as per the Act and the union is trying to ensure that union representatives are on those Boards.

Today, these women are not ashamed of their jobs. They have realised the dignity of labour. They say that though they are not armed with weapons, they have two powerful hands to work with honesty. In the past four years, they have participated in rallies in Delhi, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Nasik, and are now full of confidence and energy. The organisation is successfully working and running in 22 districts of Maharashtra under the banner of AITUC. The unions are being registered district-wise and a state federation, comprising the district unions has been formed. The participation and support of domestic workers has encouraged the union, and the union has been driven by the expectations of their members. Today, the members of our union say that since the day they have been registered as members of this union, they are no more afraid to oppose oppression and suppression. They are no more tolerant of injustices. They are tasting the nectar of respect and honour in society.

Obviously, a lot needs to be done. The workers have taken the first faltering steps by getting organised. To inculcate a class outlook is a long drawn process. A precarious economic condition, coupled with illiteracy, male-dominated social customs and so on make this process that much more difficult. Some of them have been candidates for the municipal elections but without success as of now. And the march continues enthusiastically.