Why in news
The Supreme Court urged the Union government to create a law to protect domestic workers, primarily women, from exploitation.
The Court directed the formation of an inter-ministerial committee, including experts from various government ministries, to consider the need for a legal framework for domestic worker protection.
Need for reforms
The lack of a legal framework for domestic workers has led to widespread abuse, low wages, unsafe working conditions, and long hours with no recourse.
Some states, like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Kerala, have enacted their own laws to protect domestic workers, offering social security, medical benefits, and other protections.
Despite several efforts (like the 1959 and 2017 Bills), no central law has been passed to protect domestic workers.
The demand for domestic workers is growing due to urbanization, but they remain vulnerable, often belonging to marginalized communities like SCs, STs, OBCs, and EWS.
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