domesticworker

A domestic worker is a person employed to perform household tasks for individuals or families in private homes. Duties vary but may include cleaning, cooking, laundry, child care, elder care, gardening, driving, pet care, and general home maintenance. Domestic workers can be employed on a live-in or live-out basis, and hours may be full-time or part-time, with some working irregular or long hours.

Many domestic workers are women, and a substantial share are migrants recruited across borders. They can face legal and social vulnerabilities due to irregular immigration status, lack of written contracts, language barriers, isolation, and dependence on the employer. Globally, protections for domestic workers differ widely; some jurisdictions extend minimum wage, overtime pay, limits on working hours, rest days, paid leave, and social security, while others provide minimal or no labor protections. International standards, notably ILO Convention C189 on Domestic Work (2011) and accompanying recommendations, advocate for fair wages, written contracts, safe housing, decent working conditions, and access to justice.

Living conditions can be a critical issue for live-in workers, who may endure long hours and separation from family. Issues such as abusive treatment, harassment, wage delays, and, in some contexts, forced labor or trafficking have been reported. Remedies include robust enforcement of labor laws, accessible complaint mechanisms, and support services. Efforts to regulate and protect domestic workers also focus on recognizing the social value of their labor and providing pathways to regularization for migrant workers.

Overall, domestic work is a widespread and essential sector that requires consistent protections, fair wages, and legal clarity to ensure safe and dignified working conditions.