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Awantika's avatar

We can all start treating our help better by giving them one day off in the week. Regardless of the time they take off for Diwali or Ganapati (most common excuse), asking someone to work seven days of the week is extremely unfair and somewhat abusive.

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Aduthaathu Ambujam's avatar

But I assume that as member of the formal workforce, you get 2 days off right ?

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Mind the Gap/Namita Bhandare's avatar

100% true.

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Sunil Bhandari's avatar

The whole system is so ingrained in our blood, that we don’t think we are doing anything wrong.

But there is a perspective.

The classic Ramu Kaka of our films, which has parallels in most homes, might be termed as exploitation in strictly monetary terms. But within the system which we have perpetuated there are the good ones and the truly bad ones.

It’s scarcely a justification , but….

Our view has always been that- is our help getting at least more than what the market is giving?

Of course, its never enough - much needs to be done - but we assuage our consciences just about enough.

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Priya Ramani's avatar

But market gives nothing. A better metric would be to compare your housekeeper to your other employees such as maybe your driver or to the state’s minimum wage

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Sunil Bhandari's avatar

True true true!! And it compares miserably!

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Aduthaathu Ambujam's avatar

In other words, you would increase your wages in keeping with inflation in the market ?

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Discrimination is also shown in many small but cruel ways like separate plates and cultery, expecting them to eat left overs, and accept used clothes, allowing kids to be rude to them. .

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