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India's 'invisible maids'

Anu Anand, New Delhi, India March 7, 2014

There are an estimated 10 million maids and nannies catering to India's growing middle class, according to the International Labor Organization. These domestic workers are some of the country's most vulnerable. Mahmoon Khatoon is one of them.

https://p.dw.com/p/1BLuJ

The vast majority of India's domestic servants are women from the margins of society. They spend their days cooking and cleaning in other people's homes so they can earn enough to support their own families. But the working conditions for these servants are far from equitable.

Maids and nannies are often deprived of basic rights, such as job security, compensation for overtime and sick leave. India's domestic labor sector is unregulated, and the lack of legislation means employers face no consequences for exploiting or abusing their workers.

Single mother Mahmoon Khatoon works as a maid for two families in the capital New Delhi. She earns a pittance for her work, but like many other servants, she has no other option because she must provide for her children.