Decent Work deficits: The situation of Domestic Workers in India, Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines

Women workers in the informal economy consist of the most vulnerable working sectors in society. They come from a marginalised population whose legal, economic and political status limit their ability to demand or access their rights. These women include domestic workers whose social and economic contribution to society are invisible to the public, the law and policies of the country. They face challenges because their work is not considered ‘real’ work so that their rights to minimum standards of decent work are continually violated. The unique feature of their workplace, which is the home of their employer, makes them vulnerable to abuses and exploitation. This is because the State would always be reluctant to consider a home a workplace that they can regulate. The lack of capacity, support and unity as an organised sector make the challenges they face doubly difficult. As a result, this research attempts to look at these challenges through studies into the profile of domestic workers, their burdens and vulnerabilities in work, existing labour and other legislations that are applicable to them, efforts of the government to address the issues and efforts of domestic workers and partner organisations to organise them. This research will cover issues related to minimum standards of decent work, including, definition,  terms and condition of domestic work, live-in and live-out arrangements, wages, leaves and social security. The research will also cover the phenomenon of migration at the local level (domestic migration) and some information on international migrant domestic workers.

 Objectives 

•  Gather information on different categories of domestic workers, mainly local women domestic workers, child domestic workers and migrant (overseas) domestic workers. The dearth of information on domestic workers has proved a challenge in designing policies, programmes and monitoring systems;
• Use the information as a tool towards legislation for domestic workers, advocacy towards application of existing laws ;
• Use the information to push for the adoption of ILO Convention on Domestic Work.

 Methodology

 This research used desk review based on secondary available resources, statistical data and recent survey related to domestic work. Materials provided by CAW partners during the CAW organised domestic workers conference in Bangkok in August 2007 also served as bases for the research.

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