Supreme Court affirms homemaker contributions as invaluable, challenging outdated norms. In a landmark decision, compensation is equalized, setting a precedent for recognizing and compensating homemakers’ societal roles. This marks a significant step towards acknowledging the importance of unpaid domestic work.
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The Supreme Court of India has delivered a powerful statement on the value of women’s work within the home. The apex court, in a recent ruling, emphasized that the contributions of a homemaker are of “high order” and challenging to quantify in monetary terms. This decision came to light during the hearing of a motor accident case, which involved the tragic death of a woman from Uttarakhand in a road accident in 2006.
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The bench, comprising Justices Suryan Kant and KV Viswanathan, articulated that the work of a homemaker is invaluable and should be recognized on par with that of a salaried family member.
“The role of a homemaker is as important as that of a family member whose income is tangible. If the activities performed by a homemaker are computed one by one, there cannot be any doubt that the contribution is of a high order and is invaluable. In fact, it is difficult to compute her contributions only in monetary terms,”
– the justices stated, highlighting the profound impact of homemakers on family welfare and societal stability.
The case in question revolved around the compensation awarded to the family of the deceased woman, who was involved in a fatal accident. Initially, a motor accident claims tribunal granted her family—a husband and a minor son—a sum of Rs. 2.5 lakh. Dissatisfied, the family sought a higher compensation, a plea that was later dismissed by the Uttarakhand High Court in 2017. The High Court’s decision, which pegged the woman’s notional income lower than that of a daily wage laborer based on her status as a “homemaker,” was met with criticism from the Supreme Court.
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The Supreme Court’s disapproval of the High Court’s approach was evident.
“How can a homemaker’s income be treated as less than that of a daily wager? We don’t accept such an approach,”
– the bench remarked,
Challenging the outdated valuation of homemakers’ economic contributions. The apex court also pointed out several factual inaccuracies in the High Court’s judgment, including errors regarding the type of vehicle involved, the age of the deceased, and the age of her son.
In a move to rectify these oversights and to duly recognize the homemaker’s role, the Supreme Court enhanced the compensation to Rs. 6 lakh, directing that it be paid to the bereaved family within six weeks.
“One should never underestimate the value of a homemaker,”
– the bench added, reinforcing the notion that homemakers play a crucial role in the society.
This judgment not only attends to the particular concerns of a family grappling with tragedy but also signifies a noteworthy advancement in legally recognizing the contributions of homemakers. It mirrors an evolving comprehension that the labor performed within households, despite being unpaid, carries substantial value and merits acknowledgment and esteem.
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The Supreme Court’s ruling aligns with the lived experiences of countless women across India who commit their lives to homemaking. As per the 2011 Census, almost 159.85 million women identified “household work” as their primary occupation, a sharp contrast to the 5.79 million men in a similar role.
