Trafficking vis-a-vis Domestic Work

Ninglun Hanghal *

The recent rescue of young women including minors from Churachandpur district in neighboring Myanmar gives us goose-bumps. It is shocking and unfortunate. But such reports are not the first and are not likely to be the last. This incident is yet another indication of the present situation in Manipur, particularly in tribal hill districts as most traffic victims were from these areas.

Employment is what lured young women and girls. It is indicative of the situation of unemployment in the state. This also presents the state of economic affairs of the state, where there is no opportunity or scope of earning; at the most earnings are low and minimal.

Moreover when one looks at the "trafficking" scenario, most girls and young women were brought or "sold" for domestic work, basically for menial jobs. Also they work in bars or infamous "illegal" spas or parlors. It is also a known fact that even as they may earn a few, they are continually abused, harassed and even sexually assaulted.

It is also a fact that many girls and young women were brought from poor families to work as domestic help in urban households, cities, and metros. We see and know that advertisements calling for 'domestic help'- formally or informally are not new and not necessarily done secretly.

Many Indian families living outside – the Non Resident Indians have openly requested and advertise for recruiting domestic help. These households / families include Manipuris as well.

Now if one looks at the trend of "trafficking" of young women from Manipur or north east India at large we can sense that many young women are ready to take up domestic work or menial jobs. Of course this does not mean they are ready for physical or sexual abuse. Forced labor is another matter. What we are talking about here is the need for job and willingness for any employment with a "salary".

Even as domestic work is very much visible in most of the homes and households, what is most disheartening is that domestic work is not considered a "job" in Manipur. Almost every household has a young woman, even a minor, who is taken into the family as a "helper".

Better off families takes in a child or a youth from poor families, orphans or a less disadvantage relative into the household. These can be said as "foster parents" though there is no legal obligation, but a mere understanding between the biological parents and family that takes them into their care.

These children or youths are made to do all the household chores. Some fortunate once maybe send to school (government school to be specific) say till tenth standard. In most cases they do not attend school.

These "helpers" are not paid. Their "help" is considered a "repayment" for being taken into the household- free food, clothes and shelter. Orphans are preferred for they have nowhere to "run" in case of any issue arising with their "foster parents"

Many women from poor families who are ready to work as "domestic help" do not find opportunity. All the while we witnessed that not a single better off families are not without a "helper". They may be considered part of the family member but surely not considered an 'employee".

In such a scenario, to put it bluntly, those working as "helpers" and can be termed as "servants" or 'bonded laborers"

Besides "trafficking for forced labor" many youths, young women left the state or NE India for jobs and employment in the cities. There they do all sort of available jobs, as long as they earn.

Many of these youths do menial jobs. In most cases they work as "domestic helper". A menial job does not mean doing "illegal job". Many work in hospitality sector, mega shopping centers or bars as cleaner, dishwashers, or attendants.

One prominent thing that is associated with 'trafficking' is "a job". Traffickers lure a person for "work" with a promise of "salary". Where they land up and which job they are forced to is another matter, but the mere acceptance to do any job ( as they are not aware of what job they will be doing) indicates that women are ready to take up any job, be it domestic or menial jobs.

The key route to woo young minds is "work with a salary". This is important to note. This is also the main weakness for many parents who "let go" their children for "jobs".

If we look at our society, domestic work is not considered a "job" or a profession. Beside this those who are engaged in such work are considered "lower status". On the other hand it is no wonder that young women are easily lured for "jobs". In a place where they are anonymous, they feel that doing 'menial jobs" is no big deal as long as they earn.

It maybe underlined that point here is that domestic work should be considered a profession.

If our society can look at domestic work as an employment it can surely reduce "trafficking". In Manipur, there is no doubt that many families can 'employ' domestic helpers/ workers.

If well to do families, better off families and particularly working women, can think of taking in helpers as an "employee" it will definitely reduce this huge migration out of the state or being lured to fly off to Singapore or Bangkok, Australia to work in bars, illegal joints or in a stranger's house.