Tough times hit the poor the hardest and so has been the case of the Coronavirus. The wealthy have survived comfortably but the poor have had to deal with the loss of jobs and reduced salaries in many cases. Restrictions have been placed on them to ensure the virus does not spread. This is based on the argument that because they are poor, they may not be interested in maintaining hygiene. Domestic workers in houses face the rough end of the stick and the virus has sadly given several people an opportunity to express their disagreeable views. In the present scenario when the number of cases is increasing, it is not advisable to allow domestic help. These Domestic workers are the backbone of most of the middle- and upper-class households. But if we have to ensure the number of cases doesn’t increase, we have to restrict ourselves, and at the same time, it is our moral duty to financially support them and make them free from an uncertain future. Let us consider it as paid leave. At the same time educate them to follow the precautionary methods and provide them with sanitizers, masks, good soaps etc. So, under these conditions, I agree to the decision taken by the housing colonies and the residents not to allow them till we come under Green Zone.- K Shashi (Retired Principal), housewife.
At Kamat Estates, Panjim, domestic help is coming in. They have been educated regarding hygiene, the importance of using a mask, and being clean. When they come to our residences for work, we too take care of their hygiene. So, this in no way affects domestic help from working. We need to continuously monitor their health condition – Archana Jirage Self employed
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The panic of people with regards to domestic help is too hyped and illogical as per me. They too have their own families and though illiterate, take all precautions needed to keep themselves safe and their families too. They need to be educated and supported about the current situation and what all measures are necessary to be adopted to be safe. Being less educated, they are the best and honest followers of all safety instructions given to them – Alpa Shah, Relationship Manager, Nave Marg Foundation, Goa
I feel if we take proper precautions like make the maid wash her hands and feet before she enters our area, make her use a mask, keep her updated with an everyday situation like how the cases are increasing and how to take precautions, I would have no problem. After all, we don’t know how long we have to live with this pandemic. So it’s better to educate them so that they can earn their daily wages -Swati Belgaonkar, Housewife, Porvorim
In my opinion, domestic help should now be allowed in housing colonies. After a long period of lockdown, it has become very difficult for a few families to function without them. Also, the nationwide lockdown has burnt a hole in people’s pockets especially the labour class or the domestic help. Considering that the work of domestic help is their only way of earning a living, the residents should allow them. They can be educated on the precautionary measures and soaps, masks and santisers can be provided for safety – Hetal Ronal Siroya, Entrepreneur, Goa
For the safety of everyone, restricted movement and only essentials is the need of the hour, now more so than earlier. On the one hand, it’s going to cause a lot of issues in terms of income for the domestic help sector, but it will go a long way in helping to curb the spread of the virus, which isn’t really happening right now. People need to be more responsible and at the same time, look out for those in need – Sullivan Noronha, Communications consultant
Yes, it is a good move. This will definitely help stop the spread of the virus but they should’ve done this earlier. It’s going to cause chaos again but right now it’s needed to control the situation – Francis Pompadour, Porvorim
