As ILO convention turns 30, India’s home-based workers demand equal rights

Thirty years after the International Labour Organization's Convention 177 recognized home-based workers on par with traditional wage earners, workers in India are still fighting for equal rights. The convention, adopted on June 20, 1996, aimed to provide a framework for decent work for individuals who perform work in their homes. However, for many home-based workers in India, the promise of equal recognition and rights remains largely unfulfilled.

These workers, often engaged in various forms of piece-rate work, face precarious employment conditions, low wages, and lack of social security benefits. They are crucial to many supply chains but often operate in the informal sector, making them vulnerable to exploitation. The demand for equal rights highlights the ongoing struggle to implement the spirit of Convention 177 effectively within the Indian context.

The anniversary serves as a reminder of the progress made and the significant work still needed to ensure that home-based workers receive fair treatment, adequate compensation, and legal protections. Advocates continue to push for policy changes and enforcement mechanisms to bring their working conditions in line with national labor laws and international standards.