Domestic service is becoming a major and growing informal sector activity in the urban areas, especially in big cities. The National Survey on Domestic Workers shows that they are in a state of dependency, exploitation and quasi-bondage. The biggest problem facing domestic workers across the country is their non-recognition as workers. Therefore the present study throw lights on to examine the socio-economic profile of domestic workers, their consumption behaviour, savings patterns, debt conditions and to identify their the problems at work place. The required data was collected from primary sources by administering a pre-tested questionnaire to 75 respondents residing in Kavundampalayam, Saibaba Colony and Selvapuram within Coimbatore city. The respondents were selected by adopting purposive sampling technique during the period November, 2012-January 2013. Data collected was analysed by using techniques like, multiple regression analysis, Likert's summated scale and factor analysis. The study found that elasticity co-efficient of family income was higher than family size indicating that income had greater impact on expenditure than family size. To be concluded, while domestic workers enjoy both money wages and real wages, they also face various problems at the work place, which include over-work load, low wage, minimal pay or no pay for extra work, absence of leave facility, etc.
Domestic Workers, Expenditure, Low Income, Problems, Savings
