The Karnataka government is preparing landmark legislation to establish a welfare and social security framework for domestic workers, a group long excluded from formal protections. Modeled on welfare systems already in place for gig, construction, and transport workers, the initiative aims to safeguard not only the rights of employees but also the safety of households that depend on them, especially senior citizens. The proposed Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025 is expected to be tabled during the winter legislative session, with an ordinance anticipated as early as October. The development follows a Supreme Court directive urging states to enact laws for domestic workers within six months.

Scope and Strategic Framework

The legislation is designed to extend social protection to individuals employed in cooking, cleaning, childcare, laundry, and elderly care. It proposes a regulated framework with clear standards for working hours, minimum wages, and formalized contracts between employers and employees. A new regulatory body will be created to oversee implementation, bringing together government representatives, unions, recruitment agencies, digital platforms, and resident welfare associations. Functioning as a quasi-judicial authority with the powers of a civil court, the board will also resolve disputes and enforce compliance.

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Economic and Social Impact

The bill sets out provisions for health and life insurance, pensions, maternity and paternity leave, and accident coverage, placing domestic workers on par with other organized sectors. By mandating a 40-hour work week and minimum pay standards, the law seeks to bring dignity and predictability to a workforce historically subject to informal and precarious arrangements. For employers, the framework introduces structured agreements to reduce misunderstandings and ensure accountability. The proposal also includes a system of penalties for violations, with fines up to one lakh rupees and potential imprisonment for non-compliance.

Governance and Regulatory Mechanisms

A central element of the proposed framework is compulsory registration for all domestic workers. Employers, digital platforms, and placement agencies will be legally bound to engage only registered individuals, ensuring a standardized and transparent hiring process. The law also emphasizes safeguarding households, particularly those of senior citizens, by curbing risks such as trafficking, harassment, and exploitation. This dual focus protecting workers while also addressing employer security reflects a balanced governance approach.

Challenges to Implementation

While the proposal has been widely welcomed by labour unions, challenges remain. Financing the welfare board will require sustainable resources, with the government considering a one percent welfare cess on property tax and a five percent levy on wages paid by employers and agencies. Ensuring registration and compliance across a largely informal sector could also prove difficult, as many households rely on unregistered, word-of-mouth hiring. Without adequate awareness campaigns and digital infrastructure, enforcement may fall short of the legislation’s ambitious scope.

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Future Outlook

If enacted, the Karnataka Domestic Workers Bill could become a model for other Indian states, embedding social security within one of the country’s most invisible yet essential labour segments. For workers, the law promises access to benefits long denied, while employers gain a structured system to reduce disputes and enhance trust. The initiative marks a critical step in aligning India’s labour policy with international norms, where domestic work is increasingly recognized as formal, dignified employment. The effectiveness of the measure, however, will depend on robust financing, institutional capacity, and continuous engagement with worker organisations to ensure the welfare board serves its intended purpose.

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