What is the future of domestic work in India?

The world has just changed - at least for the foreseeable future. In the life of a migrant worker, 2-3 months is a really long time. For the rest of us, the change will last for much longer than 2-3 months. Some of us will be looking for jobs for a few months at least, and some others will find avenues to employ themselves in things other than traditional jobs.

For the employers, I think, the following changes will happen wrt their domestic staff:

A. Some of them will equip themselves with appliances and reduce their dependence on domestic staff. Especially those who are looking at an uncertain future.

B. Some will move from part timers who work in many homes to permanent staff that works only with them in the 12/24 hour format.

C. Some, who find themselves without a job, will take on the roles of housekeeping while looking for a job and will not hire a replacement until they are employed.

D. Some others will call domestic staff only on need basis, and through reliable aggregators like UC, mybai and others.

For the domestic staff, I see the following:

A. Those who do not have EMIs, will go home and work in their fields for the next 5-6 months.

B. Some will move to the 12/24 hour format where the earning is less, but there is stability.

C. Many will send their children home to the village, where cost of living is lower, and take up longer hours of work here.

D. Many, especially young working mothers, will register with aggregators and work through them instead of seeking direct part time employment.

I do not see a mass exodus to the village as many have predicted. Even though the trains have started, there is a sense among the staff that once they go home, they may not be able to come back in time when employment begins. On the other hand, there is the issue of paying house rent without stable income. This is what will be the catalyst for a change. They are likely to take a decision this month - the first month when the salaries are not guaranteed.