N e l i e n H a s p e l s , P R O M O T E , I L O T U R e g i o n a l Wo r k s h o p : D W O s & C D L

Yo g y a k a r t a , 1 5 - 1 7 D e c . 2 0 1 4

1. Introduction to ILO Convention No. 189 on decent work for domestic

workers

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1. Facts and fi gures on domestic work worldwide: Quiz

2. Convention No. 1893. Key priorities

Issues for discussion

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Quiz

1. Which region has the most domestic workers in the world?

2. Of the more than 53 million adult domestic workers, how many are women and how many are men? (in % or totals)

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Invisible, but significant workforce

Domestic workers across the world, ILO 2013

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Quiz

3. How many child domestic workers under 18 years are there?

4. Of every 3 domestic workers, how many are boys and how many are girls?

5. How many child domestic workers are between 5-11 years old? (in % or totals)

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Large, growing labour force

 

• 53.6 million workers worldwide (2010): more than 4 out of every 5 are women (83%)

• 17.2 million child domestic workers under 18: • for every 3 children: 2 girls & 1 boy • 65.1% of the total are below 14• 7.4 million or 43% of the total are 5-11 years old

• 19 million increase between 1995 & 2010

• 3.6% of global wage employment & 7.5% of total female wage employment

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Quiz

6. Why are domestic workers vulnerable? (One point per right answer)

8Domestic workers worldwide

Common features:

Considerable demand and job creation potential: Job opportunities for domestic workers Employer  household members can join the labour market

Domestic Workers (DW) provide valuable and indispensible household work and care services, but:  Undervalued women’s job in informal economy  Absence of labour and social protection, despite 

pronounced vulnerabilities and discrimination 

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Why are domestic workers vulnerable?

Discrimination of domestic workers (DWs) based on sex, race, ethnicity and social origin (rural migrants): Traditionally not seen as “real” workers as it concerns women working in 

the homes of others Work  in isolation “behind closed doors” Migrant workers: precarious recruitment processes & working conditions

Pronounced power imbalance between domestic workers and their employers

DWs & employers not familiar with applicable lawsLack of collective organization & representation

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Quiz

7. How many domestic workers (in %) are not covered by any labour laws worldwide?

8. How many domestic workers (in %) are not covered by any labour laws in Asia and the Pacific?

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Coverage in national legislation - total

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Scope of national legislation – by region

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Exclusion from legal protection

Global figures (2010): 10% are covered by general labour laws to the same 

extent as other workers  In Asia and Pacific :  Only 3% covered

30% excluded from any labour legislation  In Asia and the Pacific : 61% excluded 

45% have no right to one day off per week. In A/P: 97%

Over 56%: no normal weekly hours limit. In A/P: 99%

42% excluded from minimum wage coverage. In A/P: 88%

More than one third excluded from maternity protection

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Quiz

9. How many domestic workers (in %) have NO limitation of normal working hours worldwide?

10. How many domestic workers (in %) have NO limitation of normal working hours in Asia and the Pacific?

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time:Average weekly working hours for domestic workers: Among the longest and least predictable of any group of workers…

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Weekly hours of work - total

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Weekly hours of work- by region

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Quiz

11. How many domestic workers (in %) have no right to one day-off per week worldwide?

12. How many domestic workers (in %) have no right to one day-off per week in Asia and the Pacific?

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Weekly rest - total

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Weekly rest – by region

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Quiz

13. How many domestic workers (in %) are excluded from minimum wage protection worldwide?

14. How many domestic workers (in %) are excluded from minimum wage protection in Asia and the Pacific?

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Wage practices

Domestic Work (DW) among the lowest paid work in any labour market:

Undervaluation and under-compensation –Related to perception of DW and caregiving as

‘unproductive’, women’s work outside the labour market: BUT: washing clothes and preparing food is

productive work when performed at home no less than when done in the laundry or the restaurant

Not yet recognized and measured in mainstream economics

Result: Many abusive wage practices: incomplete, delayed or no payment

23Average

wages of domestic workers, in per cent of average wages for all paid employees reveal the often significant undervaluation of domestic work, compared with the average

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Minimum wage coverage - total

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Minimum wage coverage – by region

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Quiz

15. What are the numbers of the Domestic Workers Convention and the Domestic Workers Recommendation?

16. How many countries have ratified the Domestic Workers convention by the end of 2014?

End of quiz

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New ILO standards on domestic work

100th Session of the International Labour Conference (June 2011) adopts: First international standards on domestic workers:Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (C. 189):

Sets minimum standards Binding on ratifying States Periodic reporting to ILO on implementation

Domestic Workers Recommendation, 2011 (R. 201)Guidance for national laws and practiceNot for ratification and non-binding

By the end of 2014: 16 ratifications 

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Convention No. 189

Global minimum standards to guide national action that:• Recognize the social and economic value of domestic work

• Extend decent work to domestic workers• Prevent discrimination and other human and workers’ rights violations

• Promote equality for women and men in the world of work

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C189: Definitions

What is “domestic work”? “Work performed in or for a household or households…”

Who is a “domestic worker”? “Any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship…”

Who is not a domestic worker? “A person who performs domestic work only occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis…”

C. 189, Art. 1

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DefinitionsReaffirming rights of freedom of association and equality and NO to discrimination, forced labour & child labour

Protection against abuse, harassment & violenceFair terms of employment & decent working & living conditions Information on terms & conditions, written contractsWorking time & remunerationSocial protection – social security & occupational safety and health

Employment agenciesCompliance and enforcement

C189 & R201: Substantive provisions

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C189: Working time

Towards equal treatment: • Normal hours of work with daily and weekly limits on hours worked, weekly & daily rest, paid annual leave: • Minimum 24 consecutive hours of weekly rest• Overtime compensation• Stand-by work: Flexible but need for protection from ‘never-ending’ hours of work 

C189: Remuneration

Minimum wage where it existsNo gender discrimination – same for women & menWage protection standards:

Remuneration: direct & regular cash payment - set out in writing: wage rates, pay intervals, method and place of payment, and deductions agreed by both parties

Limit in-kind allowances: not for job performance Limit and specify authorized “fair and reasonable”

deductions and prohibit unfair deductions – examples: for work equipment, food, accommodation, disciplinary reasons, recuperating fees paid to agency

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Right to organize

Domestic workers are usually isolated due to absence of co-workers at the workplace … one key for improving their working conditions is through:

Freedom of association & the right to collective bargaining… Right of domestic workers and their employers to establish & join organizations of their own choosing & right of domestic workers organizations to join worker’s organizations, federations and confederations

Legislation to guarantee freedom of association for domestic workers and their employers 

Collective bargaining and collective agreements: substantially contribute to improving domestic workers’ employment conditions  

C.189, Art. 3 and 18 R.201, Para. 2

Abolition of child domestic labour

Set and enforce a minimum age for domestic work Consistent with Conventions Nos. 138 & 182 Not lower than for other workers

Identify, prohibit and eliminate hazardous domestic work by children (R.201) As envisaged in Convention No. 182, and

Recommendations Nos. 190 and 201

C.189, Art.4R.201, Para. 5

Elimination of abuse, harassment & violence

The workplace = private home = increased risk & vulnerability

Put in place effective protection against all forms of abuse, harassment and violence, including: Physical Physiological or moral Sexual Discriminatory (based on sex, gender, ethnicity, religion

etc.)

C.189, Art. 5R.201, Para. 7

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Sources: ILO Geneva, 2013: 1. Domestic workers across the world:

Global and regional statistics and the extent of legal protection

2. Eff ective protection for domestic workers: A guide to designing labour laws

3. Ending child labour in domestic work and protecting young workers from abusive working conditions

Thank you