HLast month, the treatment of domestic staff at Britain’s richest Indian family’s Swiss mansion made its way to the courts and front pages. But in India, it didn’t attract even a shred of attention.
Many Indians treat their cooks, maids, drivers and nannies well. They offer decent wages and time off, talk to them politely, and thank them for their hard work. They educate their employees’ children in good schools and help pay for family weddings. When employees get too old to work, they receive a one-time bonus and monthly retirement payments as a token of appreciation. During their illness, they were taken to good doctors and treated without payment.
Some Indians are very generous. When an employer heard that a young woman who had briefly worked for her had been diagnosed with HIV (she passed the virus to her son during her pregnancy), the former employer began paying her monthly A large amount of money is deposited in the bank account to help the young mother manage.
However, the norm across India is less benign. For most maids, cooks, drivers and Ayas For those working from home (nanny), the following rules apply:
your work is never done
All chores may be completed, but no rest or relaxation is allowed. This is an insult to the owner’s dignity. More jobs are created. “Come and massage my legs.” “Polish the brass.” “Oil grandma’s hair.” The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, When the couple’s chef is unavailable, they order their driver to cook for them. If the family has no plans to go out, the driver is on hand and can easily be dropped off home despite the hot weather.
The driver had every Sunday off, but the maid was lucky enough to have two Sundays off in a month, and of course no birthdays. This has prompted some maids to claim that they are Hindus married to Christian men as this entitles them to more public holidays and festivals.
No The space is your own
Maids slept on landings or passages or in any available corner. If the home had a “servants’ quarters,” it would be a doghouse on the roof. The room must have a low roof and no windows. When builders build luxury apartments with Italian marble and Belgian chandeliers, they designate a helper’s cell, which can contain an internal toilet—yes, inside—so the maid must be in the same Use the toilet in a small space. She must stand to talk to her employer, never sit in a chair, and eat while sitting on the floor or mat. Even when the family is out, sofas and chairs are off-limits.
Use your own plate
The kitchen is an isolated area. When the maid eats or drinks, the water is placed on separate plates and glasses from those used by the family. She was “clean” enough to cook for her family, but not clean enough to use the same crockery, even if it was just cheap melamine.
do not get sick
When the maid falls ill, the family is unwilling to pay for treatment. Do you have tuberculosis? Unlucky. We will not pay for tests or medicines within the required six months. She was put on the first available train back to her village.
No one wants a maid who can’t work and incur expenses. This maid or aunt had been up at night for years caring for and comforting the family’s sick children.
Refrigerators regulated
She may spend all day cooking, but any expensive food in the refrigerator is off-limits. India is the only country in the world where refrigerator manufacturers install locks; even multinational companies succumb to this demand. When the family leaves home, the refrigerator is locked. In many cases, the hostess will actually pass the food onto the maid’s plate to ensure that no one overeats. Almonds and other nuts are locked away in cupboards.
avoid go out to eat
Occasionally bizarre scenes occur in restaurants or five-star hotels. The family were dining out and taking Aya with them to look after the toddler so they could enjoy their evening. The family would not tolerate her sitting with them. She was forced to stand at the table, looking miserable and uncomfortable in an environment that made her feel very uncomfortable. Not only was she the only one standing in the restaurant, but she was also the only one not eating. The family ate and drank, paid the bill, and left without ordering anything for her.
Use the right lift
In many housing estates, part-time (rather than live-in) maids must use a separate elevator, presumably because residents may be offended by her odor in the confined space.
However, no one thought that maybe the housing conditions of the people working for the residents should be clean and hygienic, instead of the smelly shacks near the complex where they are forced to live, sharing a toilet with 50 or more other families and without any facility.
don’t expect anything
People living in gated communities would never provide shelter or install a fan for a journalist ironing clothes outside in the sweltering heat, or give him a plastic chair to sit and rest in between tasks. When some do-gooders in a south Delhi neighborhood had the temerity to raise the issue, the Resident Welfare Association was furious. They believe all the drivers and security guards in the area will gather on the chairs and the place will become a “den of sin” with people playing cards, gambling and chatting with the media. Some associations ban drivers from entering parks and sitting on benches. Mem Sahib felt that their presence lowered the atmosphere.
appreciate love
When bringing up all of the above, be aware of how your employer addresses you – e.g. always (Beloved daughter) and call you family.
