A new report on the impact of lockdowns between March-May on domestic workers by #IIHSin ( @episodicroars, @GautamBhan80, @kinjalsampat12) and the Rajasthan Mahila Kaamgaar Union. A thread on the highlights from first of three surveys of ~500 workers:
#valuedomesticworkers

Income of domestic workers fell by 93% from Feb to April; 28% lost jobs and 23% uncertain of work status. Women's income is 50% of household income implying significant overall shock. Appeals to not retrench workers unenforceable in the informal economy. #valuedomesticworkers

Vulnerability precedes COVID. Pre-lockdown savings extended to food expected to cover for 20 days without new income. At end of first lockdown, over 50% of houses had less than 10 days’ expenses in hand, no savings and were on average ₹10,000 in debt for rent & essential needs.

Core component of debt is rent, with average dues of ₹7,500. Deferred rent during lockdown still due. It is key to see housing of informal workers as part of urban safety nets to mitigate this risk. #valuedomesticworkers

The Union was a key source of relief for workers with government relief thin despite Aadhaar and bank accounts. Union also supported negotiations with employers and landlords to protect wages, work and housing. Read more here: https://bit.ly/36VA9Dk 
#valuedomesticworkers

In sum, the report highlights thin urban safety nets pre-COVID, risk of debt poverty, insufficient government relief, significant housing costs and need to deepen partnerships with worker organisations for meaningful recovery. Read full report: https://bit.ly/3iKLvwr 
#IIHSin

The second survey will trace impacts from June-September. In the medium term, RMKU demands for extension of social protection and registration for domestic workers and more. Read here: https://bit.ly/34Kcx1Q 
#valuedomesticworkers