Article Type : Research Article
Authors : Waingankar N, Diwan C and Chaudhury S
Keywords : Domestic workers; Anxiety; Depression; Stress
Background: Domestic workers face many difficulties but
there is a paucity of Indian work in this area.
Aim: To study the difference in the stress faced by domestic
workers who are members of an organization and those who are not member of any
organization.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 domestic
workers from organization and 30 not from organization selected by random
sampling with their informed consent. All the workers were interviewed
individually, and socio-demographic questionnaire and depression, anxiety,
stress 21 scale was filled up. The data was analyzed by chi square test and Mann-Whitney
U test.
Results: The female domestic workers from organization were
significantly older in age, earned significantly less and significantly more
were widowed. There were no differences in education level, religion, number of
family members, residence, habit of tobacco use and chronic illnesses. Almost
half the domestic workers had high levels of anxiety, depression and stress.
Age is negatively correlated with income. Anxiety is negatively correlated with
size of family. Stress is positively correlated with anxiety and depression
Conclusion: Domestic workers not belonging to organization
had significantly higher pay and higher stress levels compared to those
belonging to organization.
To
maintain the house almost every family perform certain chores daily, like
cooking, cleaning used utensils, washing clothes, dusting the furniture,
sweeping and wiping the floor, taking care of young children, care of sick or
elderly persons and many more. In ‘Indian culture’ usually all these tasks are
done by the ‘women’ in the family. Earlier days we were leaving in a joint
family and the workload was distributed. In modern nucleus family both husband
and wife needs to earn money for meeting the increased expenses and increasing
aspirations. This puts extra burden on the lady of the house due to our male
oriented culture. The lady has two options, either do all these tasks on own
and get physically as well as mentally stressed or hire these services by
paying the money. As a result of the transformation in class relations and
breaking of the joint family, paid domestic work has become a necessity for a
considerably large section of the urban population today. This created a new
profession called “domestic worker”. A domestic worker (DW) is one who carries
out the household chores like cleaning utensils, washing clothes, sweeping and
cleaning the floor, cooking, look after small children, assist the employer in
kitchen etc., on part time or full time basis, for one or more employer, for
nominal wages. As per tradition, domestic work was considered to be an ‘unpaid
work’ performed mainly by women in the family. The new segmentation of domestic
work in the form of an outsourced activity has raised the importance of the
occupation higher than ever before. Often, migrant workers or economically
weaker sections of the society participate in it. The duties of DWs are tedious
and less paying. Therefore, DWs are mostly women hailing from economically poor
families. As there is no minimum wages fixed and as the minimum wage act does
not cover the DWs, the employer are free to pay what they want to, irrespective
of quantum and hours of work.
In the recent past the
trend shows that all big cities of India have become centers to recruit poor
women as domestic workers. Most of the middle class employed women, have
shifted their household workload to the poor working women as their maids.
Domestic work is one of the oldest and most important occupations for millions
of women around the world. The term “domestic service” is particularly
difficult to define since the duties of DWs are not well defined. Most DWs are
not organized into trade unions and have no representative voice, their exact
number in India is not known. Although, this is beginning to change but
organizing DWs is not easy. The nature of the job as well as the
worker-employer relationship makes it difficult to negotiate collective
bargaining agreements with their employer. Female DWs are a neglected group
among the unorganized sector. For decades they have been exploited and only in
recent years NGO’s are taking up the cause of women domestic workers. Often it
is observed that women DWs face several problems in their personal and
occupational life. Despite long and irregular hours they have low pay and donot
have job security. If they take leave for genuine reasons, they may lose their
job. Some of them work more than two houses and due to excessive work and poor
nutrition, they become sick. Being in the unorganized sector, labour laws do
not apply to them. In the absence of labour unions, they have to survive on the
generosity of the employers. In many developed countries of Europe and America
there are laws and social security for DWs. Unlike these countries in
transition economies such as India have no laws to fix their wages or hours of
work; they have no basic rights, no amenities or social security, not even
leave or a paid holiday as in any other jobs.
The employer family then
appoints such woman on verbal agreement on:
·
Tasks
to be done daily as well as some special tasks to be done periodically say once
a week or month etc.
·
Daily
Reporting time as well as minimum/maximum working time.
·
Monthly
remuneration as well as ex-gratia payments.
·
Terms
especially regarding informed or uninformed absence.
·
This
work is considered as ‘Self-employment’
·
Generally
she will not get any help from any family member neither she can ask for any
helping hand.
Such woman then becomes
the vital factor of the employer family. Both parties then depend on each
other. Family depends on this woman to complete all the daily chores and the
woman depends on family as source of income.
There are many research
reports from other countries many of them focusing on problems faced by migrant
domestic workers [1-5]. However, only few studies have been carried out in
India [6-8]. In view of the paucity of Indian studies the present study was
conducted to assess and compare problems, depression, anxiety, and stress faced
by women domestic workers who are members of the organization and those who are
not member of any organization.
This cross sectional,
analytical study was carried out in Pune city. Mixed method was used for this
study. The research proposal was approved by the institutional ethical
committee. It was explained to the participants that the purpose of this survey
is solely for educational research purpose and the collected information is
confidential and not shared with any other person or institution. With this
assurance written informed consent was obtained from all the interviewed women.
Sample
The sample consisted of
30 domestic workers who are members of the organization and 30 freelance
domestic workers included by random sampling. Spoke personally with each of
them, gathered the information from them and recorded in the questioner.
Tools for Data collection
Socio-Demographic data sheets and
personal interviews
Interviewed
each of the selected woman, informed the importance and objective of the study
before filling up the socio-demographic sheet.
DASS 21
Filled
up questioner based on DASS 21. The DASS is a 42 item self-report instrument
designed to measure the related negative emotional states of depression,
anxiety and tension/stress. Patient is interviewed with a list of 42 questions
on a 4point rating scale (0-3) and there are specific questions designated for
each. Internal consistency of the DASS sub-scales was high, with Cronbach’s
alphas of 0.88, 0.82, and 0.90 for depression, anxiety, and stress sub-scales
respectively. Cronbach’s alpha of total scale is 0.93 [9].
Brief information about
the domestic workers organization
Maharashtra Asanghtit
Kamgar Sanghatana, Pune established on 23rd July 2019. Objective of
this organization is to fight for the rights of these un-organized workers and
ensuring that they get the benefits of government schemes and required legal
support. About 7000 women household workers are member of this organization.
Organization facilitates the detail information regarding all the government
schemes and guides the members to get the benefits of these schemes.
Organization celebrates various festivals like Makar Sankranti, Raksha Bandhan
Diwali round the year. Founder and senior members of the organization
contribute the expenses for these activities. These members also participate in
the Alandi / Dehu to Pandharpur Palkhi Wari and promote the importance of
cleanliness and hygiene. These women distribute snacks and other useful items
to the participants of the ‘Wari’. They also build friendly relations with the
Pune City Police by tying ‘Rakhi’ on occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan’. Many of
these women work as “Police Mitra” to support the police force. These women
expressed their happiness of being member of the organization. They participate
in various events and hence get opportunity to meet other members, make
friendship, exchange views and thoughts. This enables them free communication
with others. They also share the difficulties faced and get solutions from
other’s experience.
All the subjects included
in the study were explained that the purpose of this survey is solely for
educational research purpose and the collected information is confidential and
not shared with any other person or institution. With this assurance written
informed consent was obtained from all the subjects. Initially the subjects
were interviewed and the demographic data sheet was filled up. Thereafter the
DASS 21 was administered individually to the subjects. All the scales were
scored as per the test manual and data entered on excel sheet.
Statistical Analysis
Data was analyzed using SPSS 21(IBM, Chicago,
USA). Frequency data was analyzed using chi square test. Ordinal data between
the two groups of subjects was compared using Mann Whitney U test. Spearman’s
rho was used for correlation. P< 0.05 was considered for statistical
significance.
The
study included 30 female domestic workers from organization and 30 free-lance
domestic workers. The female domestic workers from organization were significantly
older in age, earned significantly less and significantly more were widowed.
There were no differences in education level, religion, number of family
members, residence, habit of tobacco use and chronic illnesses (Table 1).
Nature of work is same whether the woman is a member of an organization or not. It depends on employers requirement. Most of them work in multiple houses. The hours of work are not fixed, as it depends on the jobs she has to do. This is same in case of organized or unorganized. Maintaining punctuality is most stressful to them.
Table 1: Demographic characteristics of organized and unorganized domestic workers.
Characteristics |
Unorganized |
Organized |
T test, chi square
test, Fishers exact test, Mann Whitney U test |
P |
|
Age |
Mean |
32.93 |
47 |
t= -5.130; df=58 |
P=0.000 |
SD |
8.35 |
12.49 |
|||
Range |
23-54 |
28 - 70 |
|||
Religion |
Hindu |
24 |
25 |
2.487 |
P=0.288 NS |
Buddhist |
4 |
1 |
|||
Muslim |
2 |
4 |
|||
Education |
Illiterate |
6 |
9 |
4.815 |
P=0.186 NS |
Primary |
6 |
9 |
|||
Below Matric |
12 |
11 |
|||
Matric & more |
6 |
1 |
|||
Marital status |
Unmarried |
0 |
2 |
13.997 |
P=0.0009 S |
married |
28 |
15 |
|||
widow |
2 |
13 |
|||
Family Members |
Mean |
4.53 |
4.13 |
MW U=444.500 |
P=0.934 NS |
SD |
2.05 |
1.96 |
|||
Range |
2 to 10 |
1 to 9 |
|||
Resident of |
Pune |
6 |
8 |
0.373 |
P=0.542 NS |
Outside |
24 |
22 |
|||
Monthly income |
Mean |
9600 |
3083.33 |
t= 7.644; df=58 |
P=0.000 S |
SD |
4522.74 |
1160.29 |
|||
Range |
3000-25000 |
1000-5000 |
|||
Monthly |
?2000 |
0 |
8 |
Fishers exact test |
P=0.00 S |
2001-5000 |
2 |
22 |
|||
5001-10000 |
19 |
0 |
|||
10001-15000 |
7 |
0 |
|||
Tobacco |
Yes |
3 |
0 |
0.2373 |
P=0.07 NS |
Nil |
27 |
30 |
|||
Chronic |
Yes |
8 |
5 |
0.884 |
P=0.347 NS |
Nil |
22 |
25 |
Average
remuneration of DW belonging to organization (Rs. 3083.33) was significantly
less than that of DW not belonging to organization (Rs. 9600). These are mostly
decided on the area of the house and number of family members residing
together. Remuneration also differs according to the locality of work place.
Payments are usually higher in the high profile locality. For increase of
payment also there is no any rule, it is decided by the employer and DW. The
member women of the organization are more confident and smarter. Members of the
organizations get more benefit of knowledge regarding government schemes rather
than financial benefits. In case of some trouble or difficulties faced at work
place, member gets wholehearted support from other members and organization.
They also have option of changing the job in case of any difficulties faced.
There is no job security whether it is organized or unorganized. The
Women domestic workers from Pune are aware regarding their right of two days
paid leaves in a month as well as annual ex-gratia payment of a month’s salary.
However, leave depends on the relationship of the employer and the woman
domestic worker. There is no rule for leave. It applies to woman whether she is
member of any organization or not.
The Women
household workers from Pune face more stress at home rather than the work
place. Spouse’s bad habits and vices, children’s education and health, and
unhealthy atmosphere at home are the most stressful things for these women.
These women are well aware regarding importance of children’s education &
health.They are prepared to put more dedicated and honest efforts at their own
home as well as at work place. Almost every woman knows the importance of
savings and they all hold saving bank account in nearby Bank. Most of these
women hold valid identity documents, like Adhar Card, Voter’s Card, Ration
Card. Few of them also hold PAN card. Only a minority of the DWs were residents
of Pune. Most of them have migrated from Beed, Solapur, Parabhani and Mulshi in
search of job, as they have lost their lands in construction of dams. Nobody
complained about physical or sexual abuse.
Table 2: Depression Anxiety Stress Scale scores of domestic workers from organized and unorganized sector.
DASS 21 |
Unorganized |
Organized |
Mann Whitney U value |
P |
|
Stress |
Mean |
14.33 |
10.2 |
286.500 |
0.015 S |
SD |
7.07 |
7.56 |
|
|
|
Range |
4 to 14 |
0 to 30 |
|
|
|
Anxiety |
Mean |
9.27 |
10.47 |
446.000 |
0.952NS |
SD |
5.08 |
8.19 |
|
|
|
Range |
0 to 22 |
0 to 34 |
|
|
|
Depression |
Mean |
10.67 |
9.53 |
368.000 |
0.222 NS |
SD |
6.79 |
8.63 |
|
|
|
Range |
2 to 32 |
0 to 32 |
|
|
Table 3: Severity of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale scores of domestic workers from organized and unorganized sector.
DASS 21 |
Unorganized |
Organized |
Fishers Exact test P value |
|
Depression |
Normal |
14 |
18 |
0.236 NS |
Mild |
6 |
6 |
||
Moderate |
9 |
3 |
||
Ex. Severe |
1 |
3 |
||
Anxiety |
Normal |
11 |
11 |
0.992 NS |
Mild |
3 |
3 |
||
Moderate |
13 |
13 |
||
Severe |
2 |
2 |
||
Ex. Severe |
1 |
1 |
||
Stress |
Normal |
11 |
20 |
0.091 NS |
Mild |
14 |
7 |
||
Moderate |
2 |
2 |
||
Severe |
3 |
1 |
On the
DASS-21 the female domestic workers who did not belong to organization had
significantly higher levels of stress. The two groups had no differences in
anxiety and depression (Figure 1 and Table 2). There were no significant
differences between the two groups regarding distribution of depression,
anxiety and stress (Figure 2 and Tables 3 and 4).
Correlations
of age, size of family, income, anxiety, depression and stress revealed:
·
Age is negatively correlated with
income, as age increases income decreases.
·
Anxiety is negatively correlated
with size of family, where size of family is big anxiety is less and where size
of family is small anxiety is more.
·
Stress is positively correlated
with anxiety and depression. When Stress increases accordingly anxiety and
depression increases.
A multiple
linear correlation by enter method was performed to find out the predictors of
stress. The multiple linear regression model summary and overall fit statistics
reveals that the adjusted R² of the model is .556 with the R² = 0.594 (Table
5).
Table 4: Correlations of age, family members, monthly income, stress, anxiety and depression in domestic workers.
|
Age |
family |
income |
stress |
anxiety |
Depression |
||
Spearman's rho |
Age |
Correlation Coefficient |
1.000 |
-.044 |
-.366** |
-.110 |
.139 |
.014 |
|
Sig.
(2-tailed) |
. |
.737 |
.004 |
.402 |
.291 |
.915 |
|
family |
Correlation Coefficient |
-.044 |
1.000 |
-.017 |
-.146 |
-.369** |
-.141 |
|
|
Sig.
(2-tailed) |
.737 |
. |
.900 |
.265 |
.004 |
.281 |
|
income |
Correlation Coefficient |
- .366* * |
-.017 |
1.000 |
.207 |
-.132 |
.165 |
|
|
Sig. (2-tailed) |
.004 |
.900 |
. |
.113 |
.314 |
.208 |
|
stress |
Correlation Coefficient |
-.110 |
-.146 |
.207 |
1.000 |
.572** |
.656** |
|
|
Sig. (2-tailed) |
.402 |
.265 |
.113 |
. |
.000 |
.000 |
|
anxiety |
Correlation Coefficient |
.139 |
-.369** |
-.132 |
.572** |
1.000 |
.487** |
|
|
Sig.
(2-tailed) |
.291 |
.004 |
.314 |
.000 |
. |
.000 |
|
depressi on |
Correlation Coefficient |
.014 |
-.141 |
.165 |
.656** |
.487** |
1.000 |
|
|
Sig.
(2-tailed) |
.915 |
.281 |
.208 |
.000 |
.000 |
. |
|
**.
Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). |
Table 5: Multiple regression analysis: Model Summaryb.
Model |
R |
R
Square |
Adjusted
R Square |
Std.
Error of the Estimate |
Durbin- Watson |
1 |
.771a |
.594 |
.556 |
5.02857 |
1.558 |
a)
Predictors: (Constant), Depression, monthly
income, Family members, Age, Anxiety b)
Dependent Variable: Stress |
Table 6: Multiple regression analysis: ANOVAa..
Model |
Sum of Squares |
df |
Mean
Square |
F |
Sig. |
|
1 |
Regression |
1998.261 |
5 |
399.652 |
15.805 |
.000b |
|
Residual |
1365.472 |
54 |
25.287 |
||
|
Total |
3363.733 |
59 |
|
||
a)
Dependent Variable: Stress b)
Predictors: (Constant),
Depression, Income, Family, Age, Anxiety |
This means that the linear regression explains 59.4% of the variance in the data. The Durbin-Watson d = 1.588, is between the two critical values of 1.5 < d < 2.5. Therefore, one can assume that there is no first order linear auto-correlation in our multiple linear regression data. The linear regression’s F-test has the null hypothesis that the model explains zero variance in the dependent variable (in other words R² = 0). The F-test is highly significant; thus we can assume that the model explains a significant amount of the variance in stress in domestic workers (Table 6). Table 7 shows the multiple linear regression estimates including the intercept and the significance levels. The statistical significance of each of the independent variables can be seen from t and Sig columns. In the present study find that only anxiety and depression are significant. We can also see that depression has a higher impact than anxiety by comparing the standardized coefficients (beta = .527 versus beta = .343).The information in table 7 also allows us to check for multicollinearity in our multiple linear regression model. Tolerance should be > 0.1 (or VIF < 10) for all variables which is true in this case.
Table 7: Multiple regression analysis: Coefficientsa.
Model |
Unstandardized Coefficients |
Standardized Coefficients |
t |
Sig. |
Collinearity Statistics |
|||
B |
Std. Error |
Beta |
Toleranc e |
VIF |
||||
1 |
(Constant) |
3.638 |
3.474 |
|
1.047 |
.300 |
|
|
|
Age |
-.069 |
.056 |
-.116 |
-1.226 |
.226 |
.843 |
1.186 |
|
Family |
.267 |
.365 |
.071 |
.731 |
.468 |
.806 |
1.240 |
|
Income |
.000 |
.000 |
.122 |
1.298 |
.200 |
.856 |
1.168 |
|
Anxiety |
.382 |
.149 |
.343 |
2.570 |
.013 |
.422 |
2.372 |
|
Depression |
.515 |
.117 |
.527 |
4.409 |
.000 |
.527 |
1.898 |
a.
Dependent Variable: Stress |
To summarize, a multiple regression by enter method was run to predict stress in domestic workers from age, income, number of family members, anxiety and depression. These variables statistically significantly predicted stress, F(5, 54) = 15.805, p < .000, R2 = 0.594. Only depression and anxiety added statistically significantly to the prediction, p < .05.
Figure 1: Mean stress, anxiety and
depression in organized and unorganized domestic workers.
The finding
that the domestic workers in an urban metropolis belonged to poorer sections of
society with limited or no educational attainments are in agreement with
earlier studies [7]. In a large survey of DWs in Mumbai it was found that 25%
worked in one house while the remaining worked in 2-4 houses [7]. This is in
agreement with our findings. However the average remunerations in the present
study were much higher than previous study in Mumbai which may be due to differences
in location of study [7]. Unlike in many other countries where there are many
foreign migrant workers in India most of the DWs are migrants from rural areas
who have been displaced or migrated due to poverty. This finding is in agreement
with earlier studies [7].
Domestic worker do the jobs like cleaning utensils, washing clothes, sweeping & cleaning the floor, cooking, and looking after small children etc. The nature of the work is same whether the woman is a member of an organization or not. This finding is in agreement with earlier studies [7]. Hours of the work are not fixed as it depends on what jobs she has to do. It is also depend on requirement of the employer. The employer can ask the domestic worker to do only cooking or only cleaning utensils and sweeping & cleaning the floor. It also depend on the domestic worker that how much time she takes to do the jobs. This is same for both the women, who are member of any organization or nonmember. Monthly payment of domestic worker depends on many factors. If the woman works at posh location/ elite area, she gets more payment than woman who works at other / middle class locality. The payment of the domestic worker is also depending on size of the family (number of members in family) and size of the flat. For e.g. when there is a big family, a big flat then charges of cleaning utensils and sweeping and cleaning the floor are more.
Figure 2: Distribution of depression, anxiety, stress in organized and unorganized domestic workers.
In the
present study younger domestic workers who were not organized had higher income
compared to older DW from organization. This finding is in contrast to the
findings of a study from Chennai which reported significantly higher wages in areas
where unions were active [6]. One reason for this is that most of the younger
DWs work in multiple houses, with some of them working for up to four or five
households. This involves much greater physical effort. The ability to work in
multiple houses declines with age which may explain the lower incomes of older
female DWs. None of the workers received regular increments and periodic
increase in wages depend on negotiations with the employers. This finding is in
agreement with the earlier study [6].
Increase in
payment is also decided by both of them, the employer and the domestic worker,
as there is no any fix rate of rise in payment. Some employers increase payment
once in a year and some may increase, once in two years, it varies person to
person. This finding is in agreement with earlier studies [7].
If anything
goes wrong the employer can remove the domestic worker without notice as there
is no written agreement. This applies to both members and non-members of
organization. This is in agreement with previous studies [7,8]. Many times it
happens that if any other employer offer them more payment they leave the
current job. Hence there is no job security. But a woman who is member of the
organization and faces any difficulty she can get support from other co-members
of the organization. There is no rule for leave, but here in Pune domestic
workers are aware that 2 leaves in a month and amount equal to their salary as
a Diwali Bonus is their right. For more leave and other facilities, it depends
on their relationship and mutual understanding with their employer. Here in
Pune, bargaining power of domestic worker is good as they have more options.
Terms and conditions are decided between both of them, the employer and the
domestic worker, before accepting the job. This is same in the case of both
member and non-member of the organization. In an earlier study it was found
that majority (90%) never faced sexual harassment which is in agreement with
absence of sexual harassment in the present study [9]. Many people have done
research on different aspect of domestic worker’s life. Some researchers tried
to study socio-economic conditions of domestic workers, where as some have
focused on minimum wages, safe working conditions, health problems. Some
researchers are on family related problems and harassment in work place. Some
researcher studied on how domestic work has remained unorganized and
unrecognized. Some examined status of domestic worker. It is observed thatsofarthe
psychological side of the domestic worker has not been touched, so this study
was aimed at examining problems, stress anxiety and depression level of
domestic workers. The presence of high levels of depression, anxiety and stress
in the DW points to the fact they were under psychological stress and would
benefit from intervention.
As a result of prolonged working hours there is less time for sleep, rest and relaxation. Long and unstable working hours combined with low wages result in increased stress in DW as seen in our study. This is associated with increased utilization of health services. Among DW high workload and lack of control over the job are associated increased job stress and higher rates of unhealthy behavior like using tobacco and higher risk of chronic physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease [10].
Female DW
in Pune faces many types of challenges and stress. The DW who is members of
organization has much less of stress compared to those who are not members of
organization.