By Wilson Adekumola
The International Labour Organisation has urged countries to ratify the ILO’s Domestic Workers Convention, adding that the service the service render inside homes is not just vital, it build the foundation of our collective well-being.
The ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, made this call in a message on International Day for Domestic Workers, commemorated every June 16, noted that millions of domestic workers globally head to work every day to look after homes and families.
He said, “The care they provide inside our homes is not just vital, it forms the foundation of our collective well-being – our health, lives, families and even economies. Yet, their work remains unrecognised, unappreciated and unprotected.
“On this International Domestic Workers Day, I call on countries to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s Domestic Workers Convention, Number 189.
“I urge you to take measures to ensure that domestic workers are not left out of labour and social security laws or care policies. There is no social justice without decent work for those who are at the foundation of a caring society. They care for us. Now, it is our turn to make their well-being a priority.”
Houngbo while explaining that the ILO is taking necessary steps to ensure that domestic workers have access to good quality jobs, as their global demand is expected to rise, he noted that the global body has introduced a comprehensive strategy consisting of five steps to improve the working conditions and rights of domestic workers globally.
Domestic workers, who often face some of the worst working conditions, play a vital role in society by providing essential care services to private households, the ILO, meanwhile, disclosed that their contributions have often been undervalued.
According to an ILO report, published in 2021, found that 81 per cent of domestic workers were informally employed, due to either gap in legal coverage or gaps in implementation.
It pointed out that this could be attributed to gaps in legal coverage and implementation, “However, due to the increasing demand for care services worldwide, the need for domestic workers is expected to rise,” it mentioned.
The Director of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department, Sukti Dasgupta, said, “We strongly believe that by following these steps, inspired by the good practices presented in the report, we can make significant progress so that decent work becomes a reality for domestic workers. Domestic workers have ensured our daily care needs. Now it is time for us to ensure they enjoy decent work.”
