Regional Competency Standards for Domestic Workers within the EAC
A virtual workshop with the aim of harmonising standards for domestic workers' competencies, allowing for the recognition of their skills and competencies across partner states.
12 September 2023
The Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme, in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, Department of Social Affairs, hosted a virtual workshop on September 12, 2023, with the aim of harmonising standards for domestic workers' competencies, allowing for the recognition of their skills and competencies across partner states.
The event assembled 26 experts and delegates from various government entities, civil society organizations, and social partners. Representatives from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, the Ministry of Labour in the Republic of Burundi, the Ministry of Education in the Republic of Kenya, the Platform for Labour Action (PLA), the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), the East Africa Trade Union Confederation (EATUC), the Ministry of Public Services and Labour in the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the National Organization Trade Union (NOTU), the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development in the Republic of Uganda, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The meeting began with remarks from the ILO Director a.i. for East Africa, Mr Jealous Chirove, emphasising the vital role of domestic workers and the need to provide them with proper training and support. Additionally, the EAC Principal Labour and Employment Officer, Mr Stephen Niyonzima, highlighted the significance of regional competency standards within the broader EAC policy framework, focusing on freedom of movement and the mutual recognition of skills and competencies.
During the meeting, an in-depth discussion centred on the Concept Note and the Terms of Reference for the development of regional competency standards for domestic workers. In order to comply with international standards, participants emphasised the significance of broadening the reach and coverage to include not just EAC member states but also popular destination countries. Moreover, it was proposed that, once the document is developed, consideration should be given to creating a user-friendly version of the competency standards, recognising their fundamental technical nature. In addition, to enhance planning and coordination, participants requested clear timelines for technical working group meetings. Recommendations were also made to make sure that the CN relates to data and information from all seven partner states, making the background material comprehensive, in the spirit of inclusion.
The meeting confirmed the need to establish a "Regional Technical working Group on Developing Regional Competency Standards for Domestic Workers," in order to lead the regional framework and emphasised on the essential role of competency standards in improving the rights and access to decent work for domestic workers.
The Concept Note and the Terms of Reference for the development of regional competency standards for domestic workers were adopted with minor amendments. The meeting concluded with a commitment to collaborative efforts in developing regional competency standards for domestic workers in the EAC.
The event assembled 26 experts and delegates from various government entities, civil society organizations, and social partners. Representatives from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, the Ministry of Labour in the Republic of Burundi, the Ministry of Education in the Republic of Kenya, the Platform for Labour Action (PLA), the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), the East Africa Trade Union Confederation (EATUC), the Ministry of Public Services and Labour in the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the National Organization Trade Union (NOTU), the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development in the Republic of Uganda, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The meeting began with remarks from the ILO Director a.i. for East Africa, Mr Jealous Chirove, emphasising the vital role of domestic workers and the need to provide them with proper training and support. Additionally, the EAC Principal Labour and Employment Officer, Mr Stephen Niyonzima, highlighted the significance of regional competency standards within the broader EAC policy framework, focusing on freedom of movement and the mutual recognition of skills and competencies.
During the meeting, an in-depth discussion centred on the Concept Note and the Terms of Reference for the development of regional competency standards for domestic workers. In order to comply with international standards, participants emphasised the significance of broadening the reach and coverage to include not just EAC member states but also popular destination countries. Moreover, it was proposed that, once the document is developed, consideration should be given to creating a user-friendly version of the competency standards, recognising their fundamental technical nature. In addition, to enhance planning and coordination, participants requested clear timelines for technical working group meetings. Recommendations were also made to make sure that the CN relates to data and information from all seven partner states, making the background material comprehensive, in the spirit of inclusion.
The meeting confirmed the need to establish a "Regional Technical working Group on Developing Regional Competency Standards for Domestic Workers," in order to lead the regional framework and emphasised on the essential role of competency standards in improving the rights and access to decent work for domestic workers.
The Concept Note and the Terms of Reference for the development of regional competency standards for domestic workers were adopted with minor amendments. The meeting concluded with a commitment to collaborative efforts in developing regional competency standards for domestic workers in the EAC.