News and articles on domestic work

  1. Video News Release

    Uruguay takes the lead to protect domestic workers

    24 July 2012

    Providing protection for the world's millions of domestic workers has taken a major step forward. In April 2012, Uruguay became the first country to ratify ILO Convention 189, the landmark treaty guaranteeing domestic workers get the same core labour protections as other workers. Uruguay has long been a leader in protecting the rights of domestic workers, but ratifying the convention demanded a unique approach; a group of Uruguayan housewives were called on to represent the employers of domestic workers at the bargaining table.

  2. News

    One year on, Uruguay is first to ratify ILO domestic work Convention

    14 June 2012

    Uruguay becomes the first to ratify the ILO’s standard-setting Convention on Domestic Workers. The international treaty aims to improve the lives of domestic workers worldwide in the face of huge decent work deficits.

  3. Article

    The “abused maid”: A good tale for a film, but not for real life

    07 June 2012

    Millions of domestic workers get paid below the minimum wage, and rarely benefit from health insurance, paid leave, or even time off. Has anything changed since the adoption last year of the ILO’s Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers?

  4. News

    Uruguay Parliament has approved ratification of C189. On 30 April, President promulgated ratification decree.

    15 May 2012

  5. Article

    Domestic workers – ‘family’ or employees?

    27 April 2012

    Almost a year ago, in June 2011, a milestone event took place that promised to improve the lives of millions of working people – mostly women - worldwide, including more than a quarter of a million in Hong Kong and potentially as many as 20 million in mainland China. By Amelita King-Dejardin Conditions of Work and Employment Branch, ILO

  6. Article

    Campaign for domestic workers’ rights gathers pace

    29 February 2012

    The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, 8 March, is “Empower Rural Women, End Poverty and Hunger”. One path that many rural women take to escape poverty is to become a domestic worker in a big city household or overseas. Yet when they do, many find themselves exploited, with little or no legal protection to guarantee basic rights to pay, rest and freedom from abuse. However following the adoption of the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), the campaign to ensure domestic workers’ rights are respected is gaining momentum. By Lotte Kejser, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO Country Office for Indonesia and Timor Leste

  7. Article

    Skills training holds rural families, communities together

    02 December 2011

    Story of Tran Thi Thanh, a 43-year-old grandmother in My Loc, who acquired her first-ever passport and will use it to find work in Taiwan as a domestic worker.