All news: domestic workers

Child care service for dometic workers

ILO and partners launch daycare centre for domestic workers in Addis Ababa

A new daycare centre dedicated to domestic workers has opened in Gulele Sub-City, giving working women access to safe and reliable childcare while strengthening early childhood development. Led by the ILO in collaboration with government...

Finding their voices: Cambodian domestic workers speak up for rights

Through the Association of Domestic Workers (ADW) and the EU-funded PROTECT project, domestic workers in Cambodia are strengthening their voice, dignity and collective power.

Global Accelerator

Uzbekistan advances dialogue on care economy to promote gender equality and decent work

Government, employers’ and workers’ representatives met with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss strengthening labour and social protection for domestic workers and advancing decent...

Invisible but essential: Domestic workers at the heart of persons with disabilities care in Kenya

Across Kenya, domestic workers quietly provide life-sustaining care to persons with disabilities - often around the clock and under highly precarious conditions. A new International Labour Organization/Global Disability Fund-supported assessment...

Labour migration

Domestic workers in Malaysia strengthen collective push for a weekly day off

Domestic worker leaders and civil society organizations are stepping up collective advocacy to secure a 24-hour weekly day off as a labour right for all domestic workers in Malaysia.

Occupational Safety and Health

How coffee farmers in Viet Nam are transforming compliance into a shield for Decent Work

Not only the bean, but safety and rights are essential ingredients for the resilience of their families and farms.

Domestic workers

More protection for care workers with the new collective agreement for the domestic work sector

Occupational Safety and Health

One step closer to safer and healthier workplaces through simple acts of care

In Viet Nam’s coffee heartland, farmers are stepping up not just to grow beans, but to grow a culture of care.

Care economy

ILO calls for greater recognition and investment in Pakistan’s care economy

Investing in Pakistan’s care economy is essential for growth, equity and gender equality. Pakistan requires coordinated efforts and increased investment to transform the sector — particularly by investing in people through education, skills, fair...

Care economy

Domestic workers care for our children; who cares for theirs?

Mukta Akter is a domestic worker living in Azimpur, old Dhaka. She balances her work and motherhood responsibilities with the support of the Azimpur Government Daycare Centre, where she enrolled her children since they were toddlers. Her daughter,...

Beneficiary story

My leadership story: Ningsih’s journey from quiet worker to confident organizer

Through leadership training supported by PERTIMIG, IDWF and the ILO, Ningsih has grown from an individual worker into a community leader inspiring change for migrant domestic workers in Malaysia.

Beneficiary story

From exploitation to leadership: Yana's fight for justice

Behind the statistics on migrant labour lies a story of courage. Yana, a domestic worker who took on exploitative recruiters and found strength in solidarity.

Senior Trainers' skills enhanced on Revised Caregiving and Domestic Work Standards

Strengthening the capacity of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainers to deliver updated skills relevant to overseas employment.

Labour migration

Thailand's Department of Labour Protection and Welfare strengthens protection of women domestic workers

The EU-funded PROTECT Project has continued its support to the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) to ensure decent work for domestic workers in Thailand.

Convention No. 189

Tanzania on the brink of historic recognition for domestic workers

Tanzania is on the verge of a historic milestone that promises to transform the lives of thousands of domestic workers across the country. The Government has confirmed that preparations are complete to ratify the International Labour Organization’s...

Child labour

Breaking the cycle: From child labour to labour rights advocate

From child domestic worker to labour rights advocate; Joy Marcus now leads efforts in Guyana to end exploitation and empower women through Red Thread. Her journey turns personal pain into a powerful call for change.

Convention 189

Towards ratification CMA strengthens Justice mechanisms for Domestic Workers Under C.189

Morogoro, Tanzania (ILO News) – The saying “justice delayed is justice denied” resonates deeply with the limited access to justice mechanisms available to vulnerable workers, especially domestic workers. In many forums, domestic workers consistently...

Op-ed

International Domestic Workers' Day reminds us: their rights matter!

To mark the Domestic Workers Day, the ILO DWT/CO for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, Mikhail Pouchkin and the UN Women Country Representative in Georgia and Liaison for the South Caucasus, Kaori Ishikawa jointly authored this OpEd.

Domestic workers day

Decent work for domestic workers is Africa’s shared Responsibility

On Domestic Workers Day, ILO Regional Director for Africa, Fanfan Rwanyindo, calls on African governments, employers, and society to recognize domestic work as essential work. With over 9.6 million domestic workers on the continent, this op-ed...

Op-ed

It’s time to recognize Indonesian domestic workers as essential

On International Domestic Workers' Day, Simin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, recognizes the vital contributions of domestic workers in Indonesia. This opinion-editorial is published by the Jakarta Post on 16 June 2025.