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Domestic workers in South Africa in 2017 at a rally, stand outdoors and hold up signs which read: "CREATE DECENT JOBS".

Domestic workers

Making domestic work decent work in South Africa

Episode 7 | 2 July 2021

15 minutes 29 seconds

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Convention No. 189 defines domestic work as work performed in or for a household or households, within an employment relationship and on an occupational basis.

While progress has been made in legal coverage of domestic workers, these legal rights have not yet become a reality for most domestic workers across the globe. There remain significant decent work deficits in the areas of working time, wages and social security.

South African domestic worker Florence Sosiba shares her experience representing the rights of domestic workers in her country.

Making decent work a reality for domestic workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role that domestic workers play in supporting the care needs of households, as well as the vulnerability they face earning a living behind closed doors. The adoption of Convention No. 189 in 2011 was adopted precisely to protect domestic workers from such poor working conditions. After a decade of efforts, how far have we come to make decent work a reality for domestic workers?

Find out more

Featuring

Guest

Florence Sosiba
Florence Sosiba
Domestic worker and President of The South Africa Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union

Host

Belinda Japhet
Belinda Japhet
Skills Communications Officer, ILO Dar es Salaam