Housing society faces backlash for 'controversial' rules on domestic workers

Bengaluru, NT Bureau

A notice issued by a Residents' Welfare Association in Bengaluru has stirred up controversy and drawn widespread criticism for its discriminatory rules targeting domestic workers.

The circular, shared on Twitter by Vibin Babuurajan, urged domestic helpers not to use common areas such as parks, amphitheatres, and gazebos during their break times.

It cited the inability of security to monitor all areas and claimed that residents might feel uncomfortable being surrounded by helpers.

The circular's blatant class discrimination became evident when it argued that residents had stopped using sofas in the building reception because they were also used by "cooks, carpenters, plumbers," among others.

Netizens expressed outrage and called out the housing society for its discriminatory stance. They argued that the same workers who are welcomed into residents' homes to cook and clean should not be treated differently in shared spaces like parks.

Many demanded that the name of the housing society be shared so that people could avoid it.