Need to value care work in India

Source: The post need to value care work in India has been created, based on the article “The consumer economy cannot afford to disregard the care economy of unpaid labour” published in “Indian Express” on 11th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Economy-growth, development and employment.

Context: The article emphasizes the need to value care work in India, both unpaid and paid. It advocates policies to reward caregivers, improve public care infrastructure, and change societal attitudes. It highlights care as essential for human connection and a balanced economy.

For detailed information on Care Economy read this article here

What is the current state of care work in India?

1. Care work includes unpaid labor by women, government care workers, and domestic workers.
2. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) data shows 360 million children and 147 million elderly need care in India.
3. Women spend 5.6 hours daily on unpaid care work, while men spend only 30 minutes.
4. Employed women perform six times more unpaid care work than employed men.

What challenges do caregivers face?

1. Low Compensation: ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, and domestic workers often lack fair wages and social security.
2. Healthcare Burden: Caregivers bear the fallout of pollution and pandemics, facing health and financial stress.
3. Lack of Support: Traditional family structures often fail to provide reliable care for the elderly.
4. Cultural Barriers: Men lack caregiving skills due to societal expectations focused on competition.

What should be done?

1. Reward Care Workers: Policies must reform tax brackets, wage rates, and retirement ages for women to address this imbalance.
2. Social Security for Frontline Workers: Workers like ASHAs and Anganwadi staff bear the burden of pollution and pandemics. Ensure fair wages and social security packages for them.
3. Public and Private Care Infrastructure: Strengthen childcare, social pensions, and provide subsidies to businesses/cooperatives offering care services.
4. Value Care as a Skill: Practical education in caregiving can instill empathy and foster civic responsibility.
5. Shift Gender Norms: Encourage men to engage in care roles through education and social support. For example, many middle-aged men lack caregiving skills due to societal focus on competition.

Question for practice:

Examine the current state of care work in India, the challenges caregivers face, and the measures needed to address these issues.