The circular listed rates that many netizens considered abysmal — Rs 1,000 for cleaning a three bedroom flat, Rs 700 for dusting, and Rs 800 to clean two washrooms. It stated that any help asking for more would be fired.
“It’s more common in well-off areas. Migratory labor is available, but you may not trust these people. If rate cards are fixed, one does not have to bargain with them.” It is important that these rates are not exploitative. However, there is no way of ensuring that.
“Prices have risen so maids and cooks are demanding more money, but residents contested a 20% wage increase for them.” There’s a push to set rates so that house helps can’t — and I quote people on the group — ‘exploit us.’ Residents are almost conspiring to make sure they all pay the same rate to domestic workers, leaving them with no choice, but to accept a lower wage. Even worse, is that they’re compiling a list of workers who demand a higher income and disbarring them from the society.
“People here already pay so little — the average is Rs 2,500 a month to clean a three bedroom house.”
The problem is not the standardizing of rates itself but they are set too low. Sometimes when workers demand the wages set in the rate cards, they are replaced by new workers who are willing to work for less. They suggested workers be paid Rs 1,000 per task per month, while also keeping in mind the number of hours they are working. This was in response to many workers complaining that they have not received a single increment in 5-10 years of working in a home.
“They arbitrarily decided on Rs 700 per task. And added the condition that if workers do not abide by these norms, they will be thrown out.” This reflects a broader attitude towards domestic work. “We are far away from even a preliminary understanding of the notion that domestic work is like any other form of work, and therefore, needs regulation. Conversations about fair wages, paid leave, treatment with dignity inside the home never happen. People only talk about how to pay them less and cut their money.”
But, in reality, most of the collective power rests with employers, who can converge on resident WhatsApp groups to discuss how they don’t want their workers to “become spoilt” due to “overpayment.”
RATE CARDS FOR MAIDS:
- Floor cleaning (mopping and sweeping)
3 BHK – Rs 1,000 per month
2 BHK – Rs 800 per month
- Utensils
Twice a day – Rs 1,000
Once a day – Rs 800
- Cooking
2 to 3 people = Rs 3,000 all meals.
Rs 1500 Rs (one time)
4 to 5 people = Rs 6000 (all meals)
Rs 3000 (one time)
Only vegetable cutting = Rs 400
(No cooking)
Cars/bike cleaners
Bike = Rs 150
Cars small = Rs 300
Hatchback and sedan = Rs 400
SUV = Rs 500
