In view of the Annually celebrated (once in a year) International Domestic Workers’ Day and for us to enlighten readers on the good work done by the United Nations to dignify domestic work globally, here are some internationally and globally established facts about the Domestic Worker (courtesy collections from the world wide web)
Did you know that…
1.
As domestic workers, women, migrants and refugees, the members of the International Domestic Workers Federation stand united across the globe on this June 16th in a call for comprehensive policy frameworks that tackle the root causes of poverty, discrimination and insecurity to ensure everyone has decent work, freedom of mobility, and lives free of violence in all its forms.
2.
In 2017, 21.3 million people worldwide are refugees displaced from their homelands. One of the few employment options available to women (and girl) refugees, who account for 50 per cent of this population, is domestic work.
3.
While domestic work continues to be a national phenomenon in many parts of the world, economic, social and gender inequalities, as well as war, climate change, and violence are forcing millions of people into migration for employment into domestic work every day.
4.
Only six per cent of domestic workers worldwide have access to comprehensive social protection, according to a recent report from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
5.
Domestic workers are those workers who perform work in or for a private household or households. Their work may include cooking, washing and ironing the clothes, taking care of children, elderly or sick, gardening, guarding the house.
6.
The fact that the workplace is a household should not deprive any domestic worker of his/her rights as a worker nor should it be an excuse for exploitation and abuse. All workers all over the world have rights, as stated by international instruments such as the UN Universal Declaration of Fundamental Human Rights.
7.
Therefore let us all be aware that domestic workers are workers, Domestic work is work. They are not helpers, servants but they are workers just like others. Therefore let us recognize them as workers, call them by name.
8.
Awareness-raising programmes for employers– stressing their legal obligations as employers; promoting model contracts of employment and pay-slips, and information on social insurance schemes.
9.
They are the ‘oil in the wheels’ and, without them, many societies and economies simply could not function.
10.
In fact, many ‘ordinary’ people are employers of domestic workers. Having someone else take care of their domestic environment enables them to go out and earn a living, be economically and socially active.
11.
The day -June 16th- marks the celebration of the contributions of domestic workers and draws attention to their needs annually.
NOTE: Domestic workers are an integral part of the global labour force
12.
As a definition, a domestic worker is “any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship”. A Domestic worker may work on full-time or part-time basis;
13.
Ever heard of Convention 189?
This convention offers specific protection to domestic workers. 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
14.
Greater communication with domestic workers regarding occupational health and safety measures, the health condition of household members, etcetera has increased over the years post the introduction of the convention. Paid household labor has fertilized the development of national economies, while also nourishing the capitalist labor systems that has allowed globalization to thrive.
Waooo… so much to glean! Please feel free to check the 🌐 world wide web for more about the rights and realities of the Domestic Worker.
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