The compassionate employer is described as one ‘who feels guilty about being dependent on the help’ (...the Good, the Bad, the Ugly). Absurd. The point to debate is not whether we are dependent but whether we treat their jobs with the dignity and respect we expect at our workplaces.

Nithya S. Krishna, Gurgaon

What we need is an assured minimum wage, at least 33 per cent of the per capita income of the country and 66 per cent in metropolitan towns. Also, awareness must be created among workers that a statutory wage is their birthright. They mustn’t feel segregatory discrimination is something to be borne stoically, it’s a crime to be reported to the police.

M.B. Lal, Delhi

The word itself is ‘help’, it’s a call to be rescued.

Sunil Kumar, Delhi

Twenty years ago, the typical housewife did the chores at home. Now, she’s educated and demands that she not be treated as a maid by the husband. What does one learn from this?

Srinivas, Calcutta

This explains why Indian ‘ladies’ are increasingly prone to obesity—they depend on the maids for everything.

H.S. Dimple, Jagraon

It would have been nice if she had done a similar categorisation of the help as well - after all they are not homogeneous in their attitude or behaviours as well.

I must agree with the broad categorization with the addendum that the same household may have members exhibiting different styles.

I may be wrong, but I see the younger generation more appreciative the role that the helps play in our daily lives. In contrast, the older generation prefers a benevolent control. I am over-simplifying but if my assessment of new generation being more flexible and open is correct, we all can hope for their better future.

PS: Saba sounds much logical when she's not seeing saffron around her.

I think I have seen all five types of employers so well described by Saba. I whole-heartedly endorse her advice, "More of us need to look into our homes, see if there’s anything we can do to help the ones who help us all the time."

The emotional attachment of a young housemaid, an orphan named Ratan, to her kind and guardian-like employer was captured beautifully by Satyajit Ray in "The Postmaster", based on a Tagore story.

 Saba Naqvi,

How about getting the domestic help/servant of your own household to rate you as a employer? How about a honest appraisal? It will give a new dimension to preachy holier than thou writers like you..

Looks like another feminist effort at getting more money forcibly paid to their kind.

Looks like another feminist effort at getting more money forcibly paid to their kind.

 Saba Naqvi,

How about getting the domestic help/servant of your own household to rate you as a employer? How about a honest appraisal? It will give a new dimension to preachy holier than thou writers like you..

I think I have seen all five types of employers so well described by Saba. I whole-heartedly endorse her advice, "More of us need to look into our homes, see if there’s anything we can do to help the ones who help us all the time."

The emotional attachment of a young housemaid, an orphan named Ratan, to her kind and guardian-like employer was captured beautifully by Satyajit Ray in "The Postmaster", based on a Tagore story.

I must agree with the broad categorization with the addendum that the same household may have members exhibiting different styles.

I may be wrong, but I see the younger generation more appreciative the role that the helps play in our daily lives. In contrast, the older generation prefers a benevolent control. I am over-simplifying but if my assessment of new generation being more flexible and open is correct, we all can hope for their better future.

PS: Saba sounds much logical when she's not seeing saffron around her.

It would have been nice if she had done a similar categorisation of the help as well - after all they are not homogeneous in their attitude or behaviours as well.