Impact of Lockdown on Domestic Help and Residential Wards
In this era of unprecedented global challenges, the role of domestic help has taken on a new significance. The impact of the lockdown on these workers and the communities they serve has been profound. This article explores the experiences of a household in Delhi, where social distancing and governmental guidelines have significantly affected the availability and services of domestic help.
Challenges Faced by Domestic Help During the Lockdown
As the lockdown gripped the nation, the lives of many domestic helpers came to a standstill. This is evident in the story of a family in Rohini North West, Delhi, who faced a sudden absence of their maid. The maid, who was earning a livelihood from multiple households, suddenly couldn’t fulfill her commitments. This disruption not only affected their household but also highlighted the broader issues faced by domestic helpers.
The Maid's Controversy
On January, the household's old maid decided to stop working. In February, a new maid started working but couldn't maintain regular hours. In March, the new maid demanded their salary for February, claiming she was headed home for a festival. However, when the family called her after five days, she claimed she was unable to come to work because her family was receiving free money from the government under the lockdown guidelines.
The family was taken aback by this claim. They paid a significant monthly salary for the maid to work for just two hours daily with two holidays, and she was the only place she worked. In contrast, the family had to shoulder the workload while the maid worked for them for the same amount of time as she did for others. This situation posed a significant challenge for the family, as they could not allow their work to stall due to the maid's absence.
Adapting to New Realities
Despite the situation, the family managed to adapt and take the initiative to ensure that their household work continued. The mother started taking on the additional workload, and she found that it took her around three hours to complete what the maid used to do in just two hours. This helped the family to maintain their routines and responsibilities during the lockdown.
The family also took it as an opportunity to engage in activities that they seldom had time for earlier. They dedicated more time to family bonding, teaching their children to do their chores, and maintaining good health by engaging in physical activity as the maid wasn't available. Additionally, they took care of their maid by providing masks, ration, and salary, guiding her to follow government guidelines and social distancing measures.
Residential Wards and RWA Decisions
What complicated matters further was the decision taken by the Residential Welfare Association (RWA) of their building. The RWA decided to restrict access to the society for all household helpers, including construction workers, cooks, car washers, and milkmen. Non-essentials were barred from entering the premises, and security was heightened by increased police patrols to ensure only valid reasons allowed entry.
For those on the periphery of the RWA's decision, such as the maid's home, lockdown restrictions were strict. This meant even physical visits from the maid to collect salary or bring supplies were not possible. The family's maid, living just 500 meters away, was thus effectively confined to her home, unable to fulfill her duties.
Conclusion
The impact of the lockdown on domestic help is multifaceted. It not only affects the livelihoods of the helpers but also disrupts the families and households who depend on their services. However, it also presents an opportunity to adapt and find new ways to maintain household operations and maintain social distancing measures effectively.
In conclusion, the lockdown has created unprecedented challenges for domestic help and their employers. Yet, it also underscores the importance of community support and adherence to guidelines in the face of such unprecedented situations.