NEW DELHI: Wages of domestic helps have to go to a bank account registered in their own name and employment through a registered placement agency can only happen by way of a written agreement between the employer and agency. These are some of the key steps that are part of a list of requirements that agencies providing work to domestic helps must fulfil in a new directive by Delhi government that makes their registration mandatory.

Violation of these stipulations is punishable with a fine of Rs 50,000. Any agency found flouting them will also face cancellation of licence and shall be barred from working in Delhi. The September 25 order is being seen as a stop gap arrangement till the time a law comes into force.

A draft Bill had been formulated during the tenure of then chief minister Sheila Dikshit but it was put on the back burner after it sparked controversy.

However, officials admit that a law will have to be enacted in the long run. To implement the order, the labour department has thrown open the process of registration. Forms are being offered at its website.

All agencies functioning in Delhi are supposed to register under Delhi Shops and Establishment Act 1954 or Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment And Conditions of Service) Act 1979. The labour department notification dated September 25 gave all agencies 30 days to come forward and register with the state.

It will now be the responsibility of the owner and managers of the placement agency to ensure that the wages of all workers who are associated with them are deposited in individual bank accounts. A duely attested passbook will have to be issued by the agency to each worker.

The employment will no longer be on the basis of a verbal agreement. "Agreement for engagement of domestic worker by the employer through a private placement agency shall be in writing," the order states clearly.

Delhi Commission for Women and Child Welfare Committees will have the power to verify the records of all placement agencies. The labour department has the power to refer the records to DCW and CWC for scrutiny. Both DCW and CWCs will receive complaints of domestic workers and will decide cases within 30 days.

