Delhi Mandates Domestic Help Agency Registration Under Threat of Fine

The Delhi government has announced that all private placement agencies offering domestic help must secure a government license and register on the e-District portal within a 15-day window. According to a public notice from the Labour Department, failing to comply with these rules will result in a ₹50,000 fine, prosecution, and the cancellation of any existing licenses.

The newly enforced guidelines require registration applications to include police verification for both the workers and the employers. Additionally, citizens are advised to hire domestic workers strictly through registered agencies and to ensure that workers undergo police verification beforehand.

The regulatory measures stem from a 2014 executive order issued by the Labour Department following directions from the Delhi High Court. The framework aims to curb the exploitation of domestic help, requiring worker payments to be handled through bank accounts and empowering organizations like the Delhi Commission for Women and the Child Welfare Committee to handle employment issues involving women and children.