The challenges of decent work for domestic workers in India - a systematic literature review

Purpose Domestic work in India occupies a paradoxical position within the labour market and society. Predominantly performed by women from marginalized communities, it reflects broader patterns of social stratification, where labour is feminized, undervalued and often informal. India's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), under the motto Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (Collective Efforts for Inclusive Growth), has yet to meaningfully extend to domestic workers. There is a need to ensure decent work for domestic workers. Design/methodology/approach The authors utilized a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology to rigorously synthesize existing research. Initially, 10,081 articles were identified, and after a thorough selection process, a final sample of 27 research studies was included for synthesis. Findings Ensuring sustainability for informal workers, particularly domestic workers, requires addressing both social and economic challenges. Using ILO Convention No. 189 (Domestic Workers Convention, 2011) as a reference framework, this literature review investigates how existing scholarship addresses the challenges faced by domestic workers in India, including inadequate wages, job insecurity and the absence of collective bargaining rights. The paper delves into legislative measures implemented by the state and the pressing need for a comprehensive national policy that aligns with international labour standards. Originality/value Contributing to the ongoing global conversation on labour rights, this paper offers recommendations for strengthening social protection for domestic workers, which can ultimately foster a more equitable and just society. The paper withholds that formalization alone is insufficient to address the entrenched inequalities within the domestic work sector. There is a need for broader socio-legal reforms, transformations in societal perceptions of care work, and a critical engagement with the gendered and caste-based divisions of labour in Indian society.