Domestic Work: The Heart of Care Economy
Every year, on International Domestic Workers Day (June 16), we reflect on a vital truth: domestic work is care work. This principle was reaffirmed during the International Labour Conference in June 2024, which adopted a forward-thinking resolution focusing on decent work and the care economy.
The Significance of Care Work
Care is the backbone of our societies; it sustains families, communities, and economies. Yet, for far too long, it has been invisible and largely unprotected. We engage in acts of care throughout our lives, making it essential that care, including domestic work, becomes central to public policy discussions.
This year marks a landmark moment: the 14th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 189. This pivotal convention acknowledges the fundamental rights of domestic workers and represents a significant step toward achieving decent work for those in this sector.
Progress in Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean have emerged as leaders in ratifying this crucial convention. At least eight countries in the region have made noteworthy legislative strides, implementing specific laws to combat discrimination against domestic workers. Nations like Mexico and El Salvador have showcased strategic litigation as a means of extending rights and protections.
The Reality Check: Gaps in Enforcement
Despite these advancements, a stark reality persists: there is a significant gap between legal frameworks and the everyday lives of domestic workers. Currently, 91% of domestic workers are women, with 72% employed informally. This precarious status restricts their access to social security, legal protections, and basic working conditions. Alarmingly, over 35% are migrants, who face additional vulnerabilities related to both their employment and migration status.
The Harsh Truths of Precarious Work
Conditions in Crisis
The working conditions for domestic workers continue to be precarious. In several countries, informality rates in domestic work soar over 75%. Many earn below the legal minimum wage, with some only receiving the minimum pay.
Moreover, child domestic labour remains one of the most covert yet normalized forms of exploitation in the region. Thousands of girls are compelled to forgo education to carry out unpaid care responsibilities, often with no safety nets in place.
Long Hours and Risks
Excessive working hours are the norm, with many domestic workers clocking up to 60 hours per week, while others struggle to secure even 20 hours of work, which impedes their access to necessary benefits. The risks they face are multifaceted, including exposure to violence and harassment.
As of 2024, employment levels in paid domestic work haven’t returned to pre-pandemic figures. A worrying trend of part-time contracts is surfacing, further complicating the pursuit of formalization and protection for these essential workers.
The Care Crisis and Future Demands
The situation becomes even more pressing against the backdrop of an impending care crisis. By 2050, it is projected that 18.9% of the population will be aged over 65, amplifying the demand for care—demand that will disproportionately burden women in both domestic and professional spheres.
ILO’s Roadmap for Change
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has laid out a concrete roadmap entitled “Making domestic work decent work: Investing in care”. This strategy is built on five crucial pillars:
- Formalization of domestic work
- Equal rights with other wage workers
- Valuing domestic work as a genuine profession
- Strengthening social dialogue
- Promoting occupational health and safety policies tailored to this sector
Countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico are already implementing these strategies. The hope is that more nations will follow suit in this essential commitment to change.
A Call to Action
Ensuring decent work for domestic workers is not merely a matter of social justice; it is a vital development strategy. Caring for those who care for us is fundamental to creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies.
As the late Luiza Batista, president of the National Council of Domestic Workers of Brazil, eloquently expressed:
“My dream is to reclaim labour rights, for domestic workers to be respected and valued … to have policies that guarantee dignity. Dreaming doesn’t cost anything, and I believe that, one day, this dream can become reality.”
By tackling these issues head-on, we can begin to pave the way for a more just understanding of domestic work as a foundational pillar of our care economy.
