Manual for domestic workers organising for a better. The international labour conference ilc of the international labour organization ilo has engaged, as of june 2010, in a discussion on decent work for domestic workers with a view to the possible adoption of international instruments to protect domestic work in june 2011. Of significant relevance to domestic workers, this year the global focus is on the world struggle for minimum wages and a pay rise for all workers. Decent work for domestic workers page 5 decent work for domestic workers excessive work hours i had to look after the baby, clean the house, cook. Domestic work is often portrayed as womens work, and encompasses tasks historically performed by servants. There are approximately 67 million domestic workers worldwide, the clear majority of whom 80 per cent are women. Domestic workers rights in zambia minimum wages for. New ilo standards on decent work for domestic workers. Goal 8 promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic.
You have been selected to participate in the training programme decent work for domestic workers that will be held in at itcilo, in turin, from 8 to 12 july 20. The jamaica household workers association welcomes this effort to secure a new ilo convention as it is a step towards better international protection of the rights of domestic workers. This capacitybuilding project for workers organizations, implemented in 2012, was managed by the programme for. Decent work for domestic workers the state of labour rights. This capacitybuilding project for workers organizations, implemented in 2012.
Goal 8 promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all updated on 7 march 2016 table of contents target 8. Mechanisms to ensure compliance, enforcement and inspections. The working papers study is the outcome of a research fellowship with the international center for development and decent work and part of the icddresearch group on empowerment of. Currently the international labour organization has put the issue of domestic work on its agenda by discussing and adopting a convention on decent work for domestic workers c189. Decent work is applied to both the formal and informal sector. However, the harrowing accounts suggesting systematic assault and murder of racialized, migrant domestic workers are a reminder that the standard setting on decent work also underscores its own limits. Seminar the chairperson noted that the seminar on decent work for domestic workers was held as a followup to a seminar in 2010, when stakeholders were still campaigning for convention 189 on domestic work c189 or the convention to be adopted by the international labour organisation ilo. The international catholic centre of geneva works to support decent work for domestic, youth, migrant, women, and workers of other disadvantaged groups. Ilo adopts convention on decent work for domestic workers. This introductory article has two dimensions that are addressed simultaneously. The zambia federation of employers recently launched a code of conduct for employers of domestic workers. Decent work for domestic workers the state of labour. The majority of domestic workers in south africa are black african women. This booklet presents a set of new international labour standards convention no.
Decent work for domestic workers 15, 2833 2010, report iv1. Joaquim pintado nunes ilo lab admin video conference elective session. Strategies of empowerment for migrant domestic workers. Many domestic workers, if not most, come from disadvantaged social groups, making them particularly vulnerable to discrimination and abuse at work. Decent work for domestic workers at the 100th session of the ilo conference, reports the map foundation.
Isbn 9789225439 web pdf informal employment domestic work domestic worker household ilo convention comment. Decent work for domestic workers human rights watch. Domestichousehold work could be decent work if the workers who do it are paid and treated properly. This article examines to what degree domestic workers in south. Manual for domestic workers organising for a better future. Decent work for household and domestic workers in jamaica. An unemployed person is defined as one who does not have a job but is available and actively looking for work ilo, 1999b, p. The basics of labour law possible forms of employment downloaded 6 august 2016. The ilo convention decent work for domestic workers. Employees are considered to have informal jobs if their employment relationship is, in law or in practice, not subject to national labour legislation. Among the total number of female working workers in urban india, about 11 per cent of female workers are engaged in paiddomestic service. So, the decent work strategy of the ilo to reduce poverty can only be realised if it is combined with the promotion of gender equality.
Isbn 9789221218852 print isbn 9789221218866 web pdf issn 00746681 first edition 2010 the designations employed in ilo publications, which are in conformity with unite. Making decent work a reality for migrant domestic workers. The term domestic service applies to the equivalent occupational category. This helps to explain why domestic work is undervalued and why domestic workers lie firmly rooted at the bottom of the pyramid. All about domestic work in zambia, domestic workers raising concerns about working conditions, protection of domestic workers and more on mywage zambia. It must address all kind of jobs, people and families. The international labour organisation has recognised the miserable situation of domestic workers worldwide and on 16 june 2011, it announced convention no. Domestic helpers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to housekeeping, including. Goal 8 promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable. Judith chilabi started working as a domestic worker at age. Time has come for a decent work and decent life for domestic workers.
Job opportunities for domestic workers employer household members can join the labour market trend away from fulltimelivein except for caring. Aug 24, 2017 domestic workers comprise a significant part of the global workforce in informal employment and are among the most vulnerable groups of workers. It provides information on terms and conditions of employment in domestic work, policy issues and varied approaches to addressing them around the world. Migrant workers protecting right of migrant domestic workers. And domestic labour must be included in the concept of work. Highlight the trends of migration for domestic work and the specific needs and vulnerabilities of migrant domestic workers. Identify the main issues and challenges in improving. Adelle blackett tells the story behind the international labour organizations ilo decent work for domestic workers convention no. This article explores the legal challenges that must be addressed in order to ensure decent work for domestic workers. Domestic workers comprise a significant part of the global workforce in informal employment and are among the most vulnerable groups of workers.
They are highly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse often overworked, underpaid and subjected to violence. Isbn 97892212765 web pdf international labour office. It lays down basic rights and principles, and requires states to take a series of measures with a view to making decent work a reality for domestic workers. Abstractthis article focuses on processes leading to the adoption of the international labour organizations ilo convention concerning decent work for domestic workers, which was adopted at the 100th session of the ilos international labour conference in june 2011 and which will enter into force in september 20. Key policy trends and statistics dispute resolution training module policy brief on collective bargaining and other forms of negotiation formalizing employment in domestic work 5 december, 2016. The decent work for domestic workers convention and recommendation, 2011 authors. Latin americas domestic workers the ones decent work forgot.
European coordinator of the research network for domestic workers rights rndwrn. In focusing on unpaid domestic work, we underline the difference between this work within the household, paid work in the labour market and informal paid work, which involves the paid production and sale of goods or services which are unregistered by, or hidden from the state for tax, benefit andor labour law purposes, but which are legal in all other respects sbc, 2004, p 9 in. Decent work for domestic workers the state of labour rights, social protection and trade union initiatives in europe this document is a part of the eufunded project decent work for domestic workers. The landmark convention can be seen as a global political response to the. The goal of the project is to reduce child domestic work by promoting decent work for domestic workers the problem it is estimated that there are a minimum of 2. C189 and decent work for domestic workers efsi europe. The adoption by the international labour conference, on 16 june 2011, of ilo convention no. Concept and indicators 117 a complementary measure of employment opportunities, or rather lack thereof, is the unemployment rate ur. Expectations that the ratification process would start right away. Domestic work could be decent work if the workers who do it are paid and treated decently. Definitions, methodologies, and ongoing debates article pdf available in cambridge journal of economics 382. Domestic workers suffer from different work uncertainties and unhealthy work life which hampers their overall wellbeing.
Overview of the tripartite consultative workshops in east africa in 2008, ilos governing body initiated double a discussion procedure 2010 and 2011 towards adoption of new international labour standard on decent work for domestic workers. Domestic work remains a virtually invisible form of employment in many countries and many domestic workers endure very poor working conditions, including underpayment of wages, long working hours. In traditional english contexts, such a person was said to be in service. Your tax deductible gift can help stop human rights violations and. Inclusive labour markets, labour relations and working conditions branch inwork advancing decent work for domestic workers making decent work a reality for migrant domestic workers domestic work from a migration perspective in many parts of the world, domestic workers have the face of a migrant woman. This article explores the legal challenges that must be addressed in.
A handbook on domestic worker rights across asia apwld. The domestic workers order act still falls short of supporting workers and the precarious nature of their work. Recommendation 201 concerning decent work for domestic workers dws. Opportunities and challenges for east africa part 1. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. Through events and consultations, the ccig and its partners have been successful in raising awareness and giving voices to workers from around the world. As long as women do not have the freedom to make their labour market choices, it cannot be said that they are empowered. Domestic workers dw provide valuable and indispensible household work and care services considerable job creation potential. India comprises of more than 4 million domestic workers as per national sample survey 20042005. We agree with the ilo thatthis is an historic advance in the fight on behalf of millions of domestic workers who today face widespread exploitation and are prevented from enjoying decent working conditions. The domestic work policy briefs aim to stimulate and inform policy debates on advancing decent work for domestic workers. Decent work is a multidimensional concept because it touches the humane grounds. As a pretraining phase, this programme involves some distancelearning activities.
How to set a minimum wage for domestic workers working time of livein domestic workers social protection for domestic workers. Jun 18, 2012 extending labor rights to domestic workers is crucial not only from the standpoint of the workers but also in light of the renewed emphasis on and demand for paid care work in the home. Decent work and domestic workers in south africa by nicola. The decent work for domestic workers convention and. Getting an international convention that sets out our labour rights would be an important step. Trade unions as well as domestic workers organisations have been mobilizing for it, and are working on having the convention ratified and implemented worldwide. Implicitly, this guide requests you to take action in order to restore domestic workers rights and dignity. Almost a year later, the domestic workers order act which since january 2011 recognised the domestic workers under the employment act, still falls short of addressing workers main concerns. This article examines to what degree domestic workers in south africa are afforded decent work institutionally. Extending labor rights to domestic workers is crucial not only from the standpoint of the workers but also in light of the renewed emphasis on and demand for paid care work in the home.
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