All news: domestic workers

Sierra Leone strengthens protections and decent work for domestic workers

Government, workers, employers, and development partners strengthen collaboration to transform Convention No. 189 commitments into better protection, dignity, and decent working conditions for domestic workers.

Occupational Safety and Health

Safer coffee work takes root as local capacity grows in Viet Nam’s coffee communities

A partnership creates lasting impact when the knowledge and skills it builds are carried forward by those it has trained.

Op-Ed

Decent work for domestic workers can’t wait

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Domestic Workers Convention, the International Labour Organization reflects on the progress made in empowering domestic workers in Myanmar and the steps still needed to ensure decent work, rights and social...

Op-Ed

Decent work for domestic workers can’t wait any longer

Fifteen years after the adoption of ILO Convention No. 189, millions of domestic workers in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to face high levels of informality and limited access to social protection. In this op-ed, the ILO Regional Director...

Op-Ed

Domestic workers in Thailand deserve decent work

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Domestic Workers Convention, Xiaoyan Qian International Labour Organization Country Director for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao Peoples Democratic Republic reflects on Thailand’s significant progress in extending...

Domestic workers

15 stories for 15 years of the Domestic Workers Convention

This collection brings together stories from across Asia and the Pacific to highlight progress made and the ongoing importance of protecting domestic workers’ rights and advancing decent work in the care economy.

Convention No. 189

15 years of progress toward decent work for domestic workers

Since the adoption of the ILO Convention No. 189 in 2011, 40 countries have ratified the Convention and reforms have strengthened rights and social protection for millions of domestic workers. Explore 15 years of progress and key milestones in the...

Op-ed

Philippines' leadership on decent work for domestic workers: 15 years of progress and the road ahead

Fifteen years after helping secure a historic international labour standard, the Philippines stands at a pivotal moment to build on its leadership in protecting and empowering domestic workers.

Press release

Punjab pilots employment contracts for domestic workers through landmark agreement

Government, employers and workers have agreed to pilot employment contracts for domestic workers in Punjab, marking an important step towards formalizing domestic work and strengthening labour protections.

Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189)

Fifteen years of advancing decent work for domestic workers in India

Reflecting the ILO’s engagement in India since the adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention.

Migrant domestic workers

From tears to hope for migrant domestic workers

After experiencing abuse, a former migrant domestic worker has turned her pain into purpose, dedicating her life as a Migrant Desk Officer to helping Overseas Filipino Workers and their families in the Philippines.

Domestic workers

Thailand pilots strategic compliance planning to strengthen protection for domestic workers

A new strategic compliance planning approach, developed by Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare with support from the ILO through the EU-funded PROTECT project, is helping strengthen protection for domestic workers from reactive...

Occupational Safety and Health

ILO and Viet Nam partners address psychosocial risks at work in national occupational safety and health month

Representatives of the tripartite constituents from the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and youth participants gathered in Hanoi to mark the Viet Nam’s National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month, with a focus on...

Press Release

Nepal moves towards a world of work free from violence and harassment and stronger protections for domestic workers

Nepal is advancing concrete steps toward safer, inclusive and violence and harassment -free workplaces, with new legal reform efforts set to strengthen protections for workers across the country, especially women and those in vulnerable and informal...

A long road to recognition: domestic workers’ rights in Indonesia

After more than two decades of collaboration, the ILO and its partners have helped bring domestic workers’ rights in Indonesia from the margins to the national policy agenda, advancing stronger legal protection and recognition.

The ILO welcomes the adoption of Indonesia’s Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers

Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, welcomed the adoption of Indonesia’s Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers on 21 April, after 22 years of deliberation. The long-awaited law marks an important step in...

Cooperatives create new livelihood pathways for informal workers in India

A cooperative approach to enterprise development could unlock opportunities and deliver decent work, particularly in the care sector in Bihar, India.

Decent work for domestic workers takes centre stage at regional exchange in Yerevan

Representatives from Armenia and Georgia met in Yerevan to share experiences and identify policy pathways to strengthen rights, representation and protection for domestic workers.

ILO in action

A migrant domestic worker’s journey to empowerment

Champa is a Myanmar domestic worker in Thailand. She started her journey with having little awareness about her rights, to leading Thailand’s network of migrant domestic workers.

ILO News

The Jamaica Household Workers’ Union marks 35 years of progress

The Jamaica Household Workers’ Union celebrates 35 years of advocacy for domestic workers, marking the milestone with recognition of its longstanding partnership with the ILO.