With 16 Caribbean countries still to ratify and implement the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189, which speaks to the recognition and protection of domestic workers, the Caribbean Domestic Workers Network (CDWN) renewed its call for governments to take necessary steps to honour the obligation.
The network made the call in observance of International Workers Day which is celebrated today.
In a statement, the body championing the recognition and protection of domestic workers said ratification is necessary and the first step to governments illustrating their commitments to protecting this class of workers.
“It is critical that laws provide pensions, sick leave benefits, injury benefits, overtime benefits, severance pay and other social security benefits to domestic workers. The National Insurance Schemes (NIS) across all Caribbean countries provide the legal framework for these social protections, but the laws are not enough,” the body said.
It pointed out that even in the countries where Convention 189 is ratified, domestic workers are still unprotected and remain in poverty as the laws are not enforced. Guyana, Jamaica, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda are the only countries that have ratified the convention.
Governments, the body of unions said, must enforce the laws that were crafted for the protection of this category of workers to create real impact on the lives of domestic workers in tangible ways.
“How can a domestic worker work in a household for more than 20 years and on retirement have no pension to rely on? The NIS helps in these situations! Employers must live up to their obligations!” the CDWN said.
Data shared by the organisation said that from estimates published by the ILO, there are 503,897 domestic workers in the Caribbean alone. “This means that fighting for better working conditions for domestic workers in our region will positively impact more than 2.5 million Caribbean citizens, as their families often depend on them for day-to-day living,” it said.
The CDWN pointed out that domestic workers are a critical part of the fabric of our communities. In this regard, they deserve the same rights and protection as any other worker. But despite their contributions to society, they are among the least protected workers worldwide – facing long-standing challenges such as lack of recognition, poor working conditions, low pay, and limited access to social protections.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the vulnerability of domestic workers, with many losing their jobs and facing economic hardship.
“Domestic workers deserve dignity, respect, and equal treatment, and we must all work together to achieve this goal,” the CDWN said.
It noted that on June 16, International Domestic Workers Day, there will be special activities to raise further awareness of the importance of these workers.
“CDWN calls on governments and employers to take decisive action to protect and respect the rights of domestic workers… Together, let us work towards a future where domestic workers are treated with dignity and respect, and their contributions to our societies are recognised and valued,” the organisation urged.
