Domestic workers cry for help – Pryce

President of the Jamaica Household Workers Union, Shirley Pryce, says a significant number of domestic helpers are feeling the pinch in the wake of COVID-19 and its impact on the country. She says that many did not qualify for certain benefits under the Government’s bailout plan.

She says that many domestic helpers are not contributors to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Domestic workers can benefit under the Government’s programme to assist those displaced by the impact of COVID-19. They can receive a $9,000 fortnightly payment or a one-time $10,000 grant from the CARE programme.

“But because most of them do not pay NIS it would be a minimal number of these workers who would be qualified for the fortnightly payments. So what we are asking for instead is a $50,000 grant to domestic workers or give all of them the fortnightly payment, as we are willing to forgo the $10,000 option,” said Pryce.

“I believe, however, that it makes all the sense in the world to give every domestic worker the fortnightly payment regardless if they pay into the NIS or not,” urged Pryce, who noted that the Government could use the union or the ministry in charge of gender affairs to disburse the funds.

Pryce told The Gleaner that when the postal agencies ceased from accepting NIS payments and Tax Administration Jamaica took over, it became difficult for domestic helpers to access the service as they complained of spending hours in lines to make the payments.

“That service used to be at the post office, which was quite easy to understand and manoeuvre about, but now when a worker goes to work Mondays to Fridays, it is very difficult to get time to go to the tax office.

“So what we have been faced with are complaints from the employer and the workers saying they cannot find time for that due mainly to the long waiting time associated with transacting business at the tax office,” said Pryce.

Not computer literate

In addition, she said that many domestic helpers were not computer literate and therefore found it difficult to utilise the online services of the tax department.

“When I ask them to go online to fill out certain documents, not one person could do it, because they admit to not having the tool or the know-how. That’s a major disadvantage and one of the main reasons for them not being in a position to access other government services,” she pointed out.

Pryce said that the union was working on a plan to set up a school to educate domestic workers in the use of technology, among other necessary requirements.

“This household worker training institute will go a far way in educating the people we have in this sector. And I believe that education alone can change the fortunes of the people and the country and thus eliminate poverty,” Pryce asserted.

paul.clarke@gleanerjm.com