Selected reports available in

  1. اللغة العربية
  2. 中文
  3. Deutsch
  4. Русcкий

Learn more

Decent work for domestic workers

At its 301st Session (March 2008), the ILO Governing Body decided to place an item on the agenda of the 99th Session (2010) of the Conference with a view to setting standards on decent work for domestic workers. At its 99th Session, the Conference decided, by a resolution adopted on 16 June 2010, to place on the agenda of its 100th Session an item entitled Decent work for domestic workers, for second discussion, with a view to the adoption of a comprehensive standard (a Convention supplemented by a Recommendation). >> Learn more about Domestic workers (ILO topic page)

Committee sessions: Palais des Nations (Room XVIII) - 1-4 June (week 1), 6-10 June (week 2), June 13 (Adoption of the report)

Reports to the Conference

  1. Report IV(1): Decent work for domestic workers

    10 August 2010

    On the basis of reports IV(1) and IV(2) and the discussion at the 99th session (2010) of the ILC, the Domestic Workers Committee adopted Proposed Conclusions for a comprehensive standard (a Convention supplemented by a Recommendation). Report IV(1) was then published in August 2010 and provided the first draft text of a proposed Convention and Recommendation.

  2. Report IV (2A) - Decent work for domestic workers

    21 February 2011

    Report IV(1) was sent out to ILO constituents for their feedback in August 2010. Report IV(2A) contains the essential points of the replies received from governments and from employers’ and workers’ organization, as well as the Office commentary. On this basis, the Office prepared Report IV(2B) which contains a revised proposed Convention and Recommendation, and which served as a basis for the discussion at the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference.

  3. Report IV(2B): Decent work for domestic workers - Fourth item on the agenda

    03 March 2011

    Report ILC.100/IV/2B contains a revised proposed Convention and Recommendation to serve as a basis for the discussion at the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference.

Committee reports

  1. PR No. 15 - Report of the Committee on Domestic Workers

    15 June 2011

  2. PR No. 15A - Text of the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers

    16 June 2011

  3. PR No. 15B - Text of the Recommendation Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers

    16 June 2011

Background information

  1. Convention No. 189 - Questions and answers

    10 August 2011

    This short factsheet will help you understand what Convention No. 189 is, who it covers, and what minimum standards it sets.

  2. Questions and Answers on the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers

    21 June 2011

    The landmark treaty setting standards for the treatment of domestic workers that was adopted at the International Labour Conference in Geneva has been widely hailed as a milestone. The Convention and accompanying Recommendation on decent work for domestic workers aim at protecting and improving the working and living conditions of domestic workers worldwide - estimated to number anywhere between 53 million and 100 million. ILO Online spoke to Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO’s Conditions of Work and Employment Programme.

  3. Celebrating the Adoption of an International Labour Standard for Domestic Workers

    17 June 2011

    At the entrance of the Assembly Hall at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, domestic workers and trade unionists enthusiastically sang and clapped their hands after the adoption of the Domestic Worker Convention ad Recommendation at the 100th International Labour Conference on June 16. The ILO's Director-General, Juan Somavia, called it a historic moment for domestic workers worldwide.

  4. Voice of America Reports on New International Labour Convention for Domestic Workers

    16 June 2011

    Voice of America journalist, Lisa Schlein, reports from the International Labour Conference of the ILO about the adoption of a groundbreaking international labour standard for domestic workers.

  5. Conference Delegates Adopt International Labour Standard for Domestic Workers

    16 June 2011

    The government, worker and employer delegates at the 100th annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Thursday, 16 June adopted a historic set of international standards aimed at improving the working conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide. Conference delegates adopted the Convention on Domestic Workers (2011) by a vote of 396 to 16, with 63 abstentions and the accompanying Recommendation by a vote of 434 to 8, with 42 abstentions.

  6. 100th ILO annual Conference decides to bring an estimated 53 to 100 million domestic workers worldwide under the realm of labour standards

    16 June 2011

    The government, worker and employer delegates at the 100th annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Thursday, 16 June adopted a historic set of international standards aimed at improving the working conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide.

  7. Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

    16 June 2011

    According to the ILO, many countries still don’t recognize domestic work as “work”, denying millions of people labour and social protection under the law. But that’s changing in the United States, thanks to a dedicated group of women.

  8. Swiss President says “There is a renewed sense of urgency for social justice” in speech to ILO annual conference

    15 June 2011

    Social justice and the role of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in international governance weres at the centre of the speech given on Wednesday by Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation at the 100th International Labour Conference (ILC).

  9. Statement by H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, at the 100th Session of International Labour Conference

    15 June 2011

    Check against Delivery

  10. UN Women's Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet, addresses the Committee on Domestic Workers

    13 June 2011

    UN Women Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet, addressed the Committee on Domestic Workers during the 100th International Labour Conference, saying that the issue of decent work for domestic workers - most of whom are women - was of particular concern to UN Women and its priority of promoting women's economic empowerment. She pledged her agency's support for the ILO towards creating an international standard for domestic workers.

  11. UN Women and ILO join forces to promote women’s empowerment in the workplace

    13 June 2011

    The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Monday 13 June, on key issues including promoting gender equality, eliminating sex discrimination, protecting domestic workers, promoting social protection floors and combating gender-based violence at work.

  12. Coverage of domestic workers by key working conditions laws

    13 June 2011

    This document is part of a series of briefs on issues and approaches to promoting decent work for domestic workers.

  13. Domestic Worker Research Network: Invitation to Launch & Reception

    The "Domestic Worker Research Network" (DW-RN) - an international and interdisciplinary network of researchers and activists - cordially invites you to attend a private reception to celebrate its official launch on the occasion of the conclusion of the discussion on Decent Work for Domestic Workers at the 100th session of the International Labour Conference.

  14. Resource guide on domestic workers

    31 May 2011

  15. Pictures from the photographic competition organized by the ILO Office in New Delhi to promote decent work for domestic workers.

    30 May 2011

  16. Recognition for India’s invisible workers

    30 May 2011

    Domestic workers play an important role in the economy and they allow others to go out and earn money. Yet they remain invisible, unprotected and their contribution is often not recognized. At the forthcoming International Labour Conference (in Geneva, 1-17 June) the ILO and its members will debate drafts that could lead to the first international instruments specifically designed to protect domestic workers. By Neelam Agnihotri, Communication & Information Officer, ILO Country Office for India

  17. Global and regional estimates on domestic workers

    27 May 2011

    This document is part of a series of briefs on issues and approaches to promoting decent work for domestic workers.

  18. Decent work for domestic workers: Frequently asked questions on standard-setting at the 100th International Labour Conference

    23 May 2011

  19. Measuring the economic and social value of domestic work

    19 May 2011

    This document is part of a series of briefs on issues and approaches to promoting decent work for domestic workers.

  20. Working hours in domestic work

    19 May 2011

    This document is part of a series of briefs on issues and approaches to promoting decent work for domestic workers.

  21. Remuneration in domestic work

    19 May 2011

    This document is part of a series of briefs on issues and approaches to promoting decent work for domestic workers.

  22. On the Horizon: An International Labour Standard for Domestic Workers

    18 June 2010

    The June 2010 session of the International Labour Conference held a first discussion on a new international labour standard for domestic workers. ILO TV interviews Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO's Conditions of Work and Employment Programme about the need to protect the working rights of domestic workers. Delegates will vote on this new labour standard at the 100th International Labour Conference in June 2011.

  23. Decent work for domestic workers: towards new international labour standards

    31 May 2010

    Domestic work employs millions of workers, mostly women, around the world. The June 2010 session of the International Labour Conference will hold a first discussion on a new international labour standard for a domestic workforce that is growing worldwide. ILO Online spoke with Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO’s Conditions of Work and Employment Programme, about working conditions of domestic workers, and how they can be improved.