London, United Kingdom, 10 December 2021 (10:00 AM GMT) — To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Domestic Workers Convention (C189), today, International Human Rights Day, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) released its new report: Domestic Work is Work: Using ILO Convention 189 to Protect Workers’ Rights Across the Commonwealth.
The rights of domestic workers are under threat, now more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how vital care work is. Yet domestic workers – mostly women – have been among the hardest hit. The pandemic impacted already precarious job security for millions of domestic workers, demonstrated their lack of access to social protections, and put them at greater risk of abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
Ten years ago, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted Convention 189 on the rights of domestic workers. Since that groundbreaking step, 35 countries around the world have ratified the Convention, only 9 of which are in the Commonwealth. Representing a third of the world’s population, 2.4 billion people in 54 countries, the Commonwealth can lead by good practice and set an example on ratifying and implementing C189.
This report provides recommendations for civil society, advocates and governments to take action now to ensure the ratification and implementation of C189 and protect the rights of domestic workers.
This report includes case studies of five Commonwealth nations that have yet to ratify C189: United Kingdom, Uganda, India, Papua New Guinea and Dominica. Domestic workers in these countries need support. In the UK, the pandemic caused about a 47% reduction in working hours for domestic workers. 99% of domestic workers in Delhi were unable to work during the pandemic due to government-imposed lockdowns. Research in 2021 also revealed that 80% of domestic workers in Uganda’s capital city are children, a number that has been attributed to school closures and loss of family incomes during COVID-19. Each case study focuses on the challenges facing domestic workers and explores what governments and civil society can do to support domestic workers and promote C189.
Also included are countries that have ratified C189: Jamaica and South Africa. These stories of good practice provide insights into lessons learned and exemplify the power of strategic grassroots advocacy for bringing about meaningful change.
Domestic workers are essential to the global economy but remain largely invisible and marginalised. At this moment of increased momentum for domestic workers’ rights, Domestic Work is Work aims to raise awareness and promote the impact of C189. This report was launched with support from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG).
For more information, please contact:
Rowen Siemens
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, London Office
rowen@humanrightsinitiative.org