Bolivia ratifies the Domestic Workers Convention

On 15 April 2013, the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). Bolivia is the sixth ILO member State and the second Latin American member State to ratify this instrument which, in accordance with its Article 21, paragraph 2 of the Convention, will enter into force on 5 September 2013, twelve months after the date on which it was ratified by two ILO member States.

In transmitting the instrument of ratification, the Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the ILO, Ambassador Angélica Navarro Llanos, stated: "Today’s ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention highlights Bolivia’s unfailing commitment and support for domestic workers and its pioneering efforts to ensure protection for their labour rights. By taking this important step, Bolivia ensures the promotion and effective protection of the human rights of domestic workers in the country.” In this manner, Bolivia joins the ILO in undertaking to protect these workers from long-suffered malpractices and abuse.

In receiving the instrument of ratification of Convention No. 189 by Bolivia, the Director of the International Labour Standards Department, Ms Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, stated: “Today the Government of Bolivia joins the rank of ILO members who have championed the growing momentum to ensure that this vulnerable category of workers enjoy not only fundamental rights at work but also the full range of other labour rights. By ratifying the Domestic Workers Convention, Bolivia has demonstrated its international commitment to ensure that Bolivian domestic workers enjoy the respect and recognition that they deserve.”

Watch a video on Bolivia's ratification of C189 In Spanish with English subtitles

Globally, there is an estimated 50 million domestic workers, often excluded from the coverage of labour laws. About 36 per cent of female domestic workers do not even have a legal entitlement to maternity leave. According to some accounts, a large proportion of those workers receive less than the legal minimum wage while working as many as 60 hours per week. The ILO’s Domestic Workers Convention seeks to improve these working and living conditions and sets out standards guaranteeing that domestic workers enjoy the same basic labour rights as other workers, including the right to join unions of their choice, minimum wage protection, reasonable hours of work, weekly rest and annual paid holidays.