Domestic workers demand law to protect their rights in Telangana

Domestic workers in Telangana demand protective legislation through a postcard campaign, urging the government to pass the Domestic Workers Bill, 2026.

Domestic workers across Telangana held public meetings and a postcard campaign on Saturday, March 14, demanding that the State government introduce a dedicated law to protect their rights.

The main protest gathering was at the Basheerbagh Press Club, where a large number of women domestic workers assembled to call for the introduction of a Telangana Domestic Workers Bill, 2026, in the State Assembly. Similar programmes were also conducted in Suryapet, Wanaparthy, Sangareddy, Patancheru and several other districts.

The mobilisation was organised by the Gruhakarmikula Union Telangana State (GUTS), a grassroots trade union of domestic workers in the state with more than 14,000 members. The union said it has been consistently advocating for a comprehensive law to recognise and protect the rights of nearly 11 lakh domestic workers in Telangana, most of whom are women from marginalised communities including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes Backward Classes, and minority groups.

During the meeting, several domestic workers spoke about the challenges they face, including low and irregular wages, long working hours, lack of social security and the absence of formal legal recognition of their work. Participants urged legislators in Telangana to raise the issue in the Assembly and push for the introduction of a Domestic Workers Bill that would guarantee minimum wages, regulated working hours, social security benefits and protection from exploitation.

The representatives sent sent postcards addressed to Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Following the meeting, the women marched to the Abids General Post Office and sent postcards addressed to Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy, urging the State government to introduce and pass the proposed legislation in the upcoming Assembly session scheduled to begin on March 16.