Advancing Decent Work for Domestic Workers in the United Republic of Tanzania

Estimated at 53 million to 100 million, domestic workers comprise a huge workforce in developing and developed countries. Women are dramatically overrepresented (83% of domestic workers) and often come from particular racial, ethnic and socially disadvantaged populations. Exclusion of domestic workers from legal protection and informal employment in domestic work are among key drivers of women’s informal employment, vulnerability and unequal treatment in the labour market.
In Tanzania, the national domestic work study conducted in 2012-13 gives evidence of high incidence of unpaid domestic work and excessive in-kind payments, informal and strongly personalised employment arrangements, and child workers. While labour regulations set a minimum wage and other terms of employment, compliance is low. Based on the Domestic Workers Survey, domestic workers in Tanzania represent 5% of total population 15 – 64 years. Women make up to 75% and tend to be much younger than men. 78% of female domestic workers are aged 15-24 years old while only 52% of male domestic workers are in same age group. Thus, domestic workers are the ultimate beneficiaries of ILO-Sida assistance oriented towards building national capacities and facilitating sound legal, policy and institutional measures, which are designed to strengthen workers protection and improve working conditions in the domestic work sector.

Objectives:
The ultimate objective of this programme is improved, more equitable working and living standards for workers especially those in vulnerable situations. The project focuses at improving working conditions of domestic workers. The project achieves this by strengthening the capacities of the constituents i.e. governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations and other governance institutions, in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, to assess, design and implement effective policies, laws and programmes concerning wages and earnings, working time and other conditions of work.
Target group: Domestic workers

Expected Deliverables:
• A plan (mini roadmap & work plan) for C189 ratification formulated
• Policy advocacy dialogues on C189 ratification issues conducted
• Set of advocacy materials to support ratification developed & disseminated
• Zanzibar Tripartite Action Plan finalised
• Regulations to improve working conditions of domestic workers in Zanzibar developed
• Campaign teams receive technical advice on design, implementation and monitoring of campaign strategy
• Awareness-raising materials and resources are developed
• Training programme to address identified priority needs of labour officers/inspectors, OSH inspectors, mediators and arbitrators is designed
• Pilot training programme for labour officers/inspectors & OSH inspectors, mediators and arbitrators is conducted and assessed

Implementation Strategy
The tripartite partners/national constituents are closely engaged in the planning, implementing and/or assessing of actions supported by this project through:
(i) The tripartite working groups (TWG) on domestic work in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, chaired by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE) and the Ministry of State President Office Labour and Public Service (MSPOLPS), respectively, have functioned since 2012 to vet and review actions and ILO assistance on domestic work, and will continue.
(ii) National plans of action, which identify the priorities of tripartite partners to be assisted by this project – a national action plan for Mainland Tanzania is in place and serves as basis for the CPO TZA 104 priorities; Zanzibar is about to finalise its action plan.
(iii) Working with the national institutions mandated to design policy, formulate regulations, and implement them e.g. labour administration and inspection departments in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the Labour Economic and Social Council (LESCO), the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) and Wage Boards.
(iv) All assistance intended to build the capacity of domestic workers’ unions will be designed and carried out in collaboration with the domestic workers’ unions: CHODAWU in Mainland Tanzania and CHODAWU-Z in Zanzibar, respectively. The national trade unions i.e. TUCTA for Mainland Tanzania and ZATUC for Zanzibar will also be involved.
The project is being implemented through the United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP). Under UNDAP all UN agencies in Tanzania work together to contribute in the realization of national development goals as outlined in the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (MKUKUTA II) and the Zanzibar Poverty Reduction Plan (MKUZA II).
INWORK, ILO Geneva, performs the function of overall coordination of the project. It oversees and monitors project implementation and delivery of global products and the CPO deliverables.