In recent times, a political party in Tamil Nadu has made headlines by incorporating a promise for housewives’ salaries into their election campaign. This proposition echoes the 2018 International Labour Organization (ILO) report, which indicated that women carry out 76.2% of all unpaid care work globally – a figure that rises to 80% in Asia and the Pacific regions. It’s clear that a significant gender disparity lies in the realm of domestic work.
Background: The Origin of Wages for Housework Movement
The International Wages for Housework Campaign kicked off in Italy in 1972. It was a feminist movement emphasizing the importance of gendered labour within the home and its impact on capitalism’s surplus value production. This movement gradually expanded its influence to Britain and America, where alongside other demands for social and political equality, women’s rights advocates highlighted and politicised the often-overlooked housework and childcare experience in households.
Household Labour Scenario in India
In 2010, the National Housewives Association’s application for recognition as a trade union was turned down by the deputy registrar of trade unions, stating that housework does not qualify as a trade or industry. In 2012, the then-minister for Women and Child development proposed a mandate for husbands to pay their wives for household work. Although the proposal aimed to financially empower women and boost their living dignity, it never came to fruition, and the idea was shelved with the government change in 2014.
The Issue of Unpaid Domestic Work
Despite the demanding nature of housework, many Indian women remain undervalued and unequal to men. This inequality extends beyond the work itself, with numerous women suffering from domestic violence and cruelty due to their economic dependence on their husbands. According to 2019 data from the National Sample Survey Organisation, about a quarter of men and boys above six years old perform unpaid household chores, compared to over four-fifths of women.
Arguments For and Against Household Wage
Supporters of a household wage believe it would offer more accurate national income accounting, as women’s domestic labour is currently unaccounted for in GDP or employment metrics. They argue that a state-funded wage would foster female autonomy and potentially reduce domestic violence rates. Advocates also suggest that this payment could redefine women’s roles in society and ensure the recognition of a significant segment of the population.
On the other hand, critics fear that requiring men to pay for their wives’ domestic work could enhance their sense of entitlement or place additional pressure on women. They express concerns about formalising the patriarchal Indian family structure, where men’s roles are defined by their status as “providers”. There are also logistical challenges to consider, such as who would cover these wages and the potential burden it could place on the government.
A Way Forward
To address this complex issue, it’s crucial to enhance awareness, implementation, and utilisation of existing provisions. Women’s rights, from residing in the marital home and inheritance rights as daughters to free legal aid and maintenance in cases of violence and divorce, should be recognized and upheld. It’s also essential to foster quality education, job access and opportunities, gender-sensitive and harassment-free workplaces, and household chore participation within families. This approach can help empower women to reach their full potential and ensure their contributions in all life areas are duly recognized and valued.
