Well-being of Female Domestic Workers during Three Months of COVID-19 Lockdown: Case Study from IIT Kharagpur Campus

The nationwide lockdown to control Covid-19 spread has rendered millions of female domestic workers in India jobless, and exposed this already vulnerable category to hunger, starvation and even death. The 250-300 odd female domestic workers dependent on residents of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur campus also found themselves in this financial predicament owning to the complete lockdown for three months. The purpose of this study is to assess mental well-being level of female domestic workers serving residents within IIT Kharagpur campus during three months of complete lockdown. This study also examines if their resilience had any impact on their well-being, and finally investigates factors that helped them stay positive and contributed to their well-being during the lockdown. This study employed a mixed methodology drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from 45 female domestic workers, aged 21-61 years. Data were collected using WHO-5, BRS and participant survey including an open-ended question. Descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression and thematic content analysis were used for data analysis. Wellbeing among domestic workers was found to be moderate. Quantitative and quantitative analysis suggested that 'spending time with family during lockdown,' 'getting sound sleep,' 'receiving help from employers' and 'personally helping someone in need' predicted well-being of domestic workers during lockdown. Age and domestic violence were negative predictors of well-being. Other determinants of wellbeing during the lockdown according to qualitative analysis included 'safety of family members,' 'relief,' 'social support,' 'social engagement,' 'generosity of employers,' 'forced abstinence from alcohol and gambling by spouses', 'rest' and 'care from family members'. While resilience correlated with well-being, it was not found to predict wellbeing. The mean well-being level of domestic workers at IIT Kharagpur, contrary to expectations, -was found to be above the critical 13 point, and they seemed to be better off than those reported in various media, owing to sustained financial support by their employers at IIT Kharagpur and relief material provided by IIT Kharagpur. This suggests the importance of supportive contexts which can significantly affect the well-being of vulnerable communities and people working in informal sector, even during lockdown.