Invisible Hands

So its  happened at last. All those invisible people, the maids, cooks, drivers, who make our days run on well oiled wheels have finally come together. I call them invisible because only in their absence do they seem to become really visible. If you get what I mean. Just before Diwali, came a missive from them to each home in my complex, asking politely, gently,  for a full month's salary as bonus.It cited the rising prices and the fact that they too were entitled to enjoy the festival season like their employers did.  As expected,  it raised a mini storm. Some of the residents sacked their employees and expressed that they would rather depend on appliances like dishwashers, washing machines etc for their work. Fair enough. To each his/her own.

It brought into focus, the indispensability of these workers in our lives. And also the fact that they are so vulnerable with their lack of organization. No holidays. No value or recognition for years of service.Can be sacked at a moment's notice. Facing immediate suspicion for theft if anything  valuable is lost or misplaced. Their very presence and poverty seem to provide the necessary motive and the evidence against them. 

So they have come together now, my maid and cook informed me with pride and dignity. They are human too. They need support and  their rights to be recognized. The Union for Domestic Workers Rights has been formed in Bangalore.Awareness meetings  are being held in police stations. A welcome step and kudos to those who are making it happen.