• The convention aims at putting an end to a long-standing discrimination that has been affecting this sector in which over 100 million people work.
• Some of the improvements include domestic workers’ rights to the national minimum wage coverage, to social security, and to a minimum weekly rest period.

Yesterday, June 16th, the governments, employers and workers’ delegates who attended the 100th Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted for the very first time in history international standards aiming at improving the working conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers around the world.

For the very first time since the organization was created in 1919, delegates approved a Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, Convention 189, with 396 votes in favor, 16 votes against it, and 63 abstentions, as well as accompanying Recommendation 201, with 434 votes in favor, 8 votes against it, and 42 abstentions. It is the first ever international legal instrument which protects this category of employees and guarantees them the same basic rights as those of other workers, including normal working hours, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, the payment of a limited proportion of the remuneration in the form of payments in kind, clear information about employment conditions, as well as the respect of the fundamental principles and rights at work, including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Once again, the International Young Christian Workers movement (IYCW) brought the demands of young domestic workers from around the world to the International Labour Conference, through the participation of young international leaders and local activists of the movement (Geethani Peries, the international president – Arlindo de Oliveira, the international treasurer – Folly Doris, a Ghana YCW leader – María Liz Almada, a Paraguay YCW activist and domestic worker – Robert Vins, a member of the IYCW international team in Asia & the Pacific – and Martin Lafontaine, a member of the (Belgian) Walloon YCW).

Maria Liz said: “Being there at the ILC was a unique experience for me. I was able to learn the working procedures and methods, as well as to share the life experience of young people of different countries. What most moved me was the statement I read in front of so many people who ended up voting for improved living conditions for domestic workers.”

“My statement won the applause of those present in the plenary room and it was used as a reference by others who spoke on behalf of domestic workers. The adoption of the convention with the accompanying recommendation is a historic occasion for domestic workers who are fighting at the international level for decent work and for conditions equal to those of other workers.”

“In my opinion, the convention is a mechanism of action to be used to continue our struggle, because it does not end here. It starts here. It will continue so that day after day, domestic workers have more rights.”

In accordance with ILO procedures, the new convention will come into force after ratification by two member states. Despite huge support for the convention, several governments, including from countries which voted in favor, expressed some reservations and announced that ratification will be difficult.

As Maria Liz explained, it is important today to continue our struggle for the ratification and enforcement of the convention in the different countries, so that the reservations by some governments are removed and better living and working conditions are guaranteed to all domestic workers.

The International YCW