New Delhi: Recognising the economic value of unpaid household work, the Supreme Court has held that the loss of domestic-care services provided by homemakers must be treated as a separate head of compensation. The Court also fixed a notional monthly income of ₹30,000 for calculating such losses in compensation cases.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that the contribution of homemakers extends far beyond the confines of the household and plays a significant role in society.

“Housewives contribute to the household. They are nation builders. They build the nation. How do you assess that contribution and monetise it? The word ‘homemaker’ would now acquire the acronym of ‘nation builder’”, it observed.

The bench noted that unpaid domestic work has substantial economic value and should not be overlooked while determining compensation. It ruled that the loss of domestic care rendered by homemakers deserves independent recognition in compensation assessments.

The Court also said that it had issued directions on the matter and expressed hope and trust that Chief Justices of all High Courts would monitor its implementation.

By recognising loss of domestic-care services as an additional head of compensation, the Court sought to acknowledge the often unremunerated contribution made by homemakers to their families and to society at large.

BI Bureau