Are Maids an Invaluable Part of NRI Household?

The thought of domestic helps being the lifeline of an Indian middle-class home doesn’t seem likely to die down soon. The feudal fascination with the idea of having someone around to serve you is intrinsic to most affluent India's, and those moving overseas are no exception.

Maids in India are aplenty and their salaries often do not burn a hole in one’s pocket. Things, however, are different abroad, with the laws of the land throwing up situations that Indians are not used to. For one, affording a maid abroad is more often than not a luxury, with the strict enforcement of minimum wages in some countries. Indians, who cannot do without a housemaid, are ready to shell out large amounts to retain a good one.

The Indian government as well as most host countries have stringent rules to safeguard the interests of maids working abroad.

Maid service agencies also check with their candidates several times to ensure that they aren’t being ill-treated.

If an employer is not satisfied with the maid allocated to his family, there is little option but to put up with it. Although most agencies provide the option to replace the maid, the employer is responsible for her visa and tickets, which may become a costly proposition.

A steady supply of maids from India has ensured that NRI's can concentrate on their work while the maid holds the fort at home. With more women pursuing their ambitions and entering the workforce, a domestic help is often seen as a necessity who takes up the role of the caretaker of the household, vested with the responsibility of running things smoothly.

 “Domestic work is the biggest employment generation sector in India and still has the lowest regulations around it."

The day we have a minimum wages bill passed by the government for domestic workers, and ensure basic rights for them we will start respecting them like other working women/men.

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