Graduation marks a milestone for Jamaica Household Workers' Union members

KINGSTON, Jamaica (ILO News) - On 27 March 2025, the Jamaica Household Workers’ Union (JHWU) celebrated the graduation of 30 executive officers and members from a specialized industrial relations training programme, marking a significant step in strengthening the Union’s advocacy for domestic workers. The training, developed and delivered by the Hugh Shearer Labour Studies Institute (HSLSI) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, was made possible through the technical and financial support of the ILO Caribbean Office.

Beginning in November 2024, participants engaged in comprehensive sessions on Jamaica’s labour laws, grievance and disciplinary procedures, freedom of association, and strategies to combat child labour. The curriculum equipped JHWU members with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate more effectively for domestic workers’ rights and decent work conditions.

Resel Melville, ILO Caribbean Programme Officer for the Regional Initiative against Child Labour, highlighted the broader significance of the training: “The graduation of this first cohort is a proud moment, not just for the union but for the broader movement towards equity in the care economy. These household workers are now better equipped to lead, educate their peers, and engage meaningfully in social dialogue. This is how change begins-worker by worker, voice by voice.”

The graduation ceremony, held in Kingston, underscored the Union’s commitment to uplift domestic workers through education and advocacy. By equipping its leadership with specialized knowledge, JHWU aims to influence public policy and foster greater awareness about the critical role of domestic workers in Jamaica’s society. As part of its long-term strategy, the Union continues to provide skills training and legal support while building alliances with national and international organizations.

JHWU has played a key role in advocating for policies that protect household workers’ rights, including lobbying for Jamaica’s ratification of ILO Convention 189 on domestic workers, which was achieved on 11 October 2016. Despite this progress, challenges remain in ensuring full enforcement of labour standards and protections for domestic workers.

Looking ahead, JHWU is committed to establishing a dedicated training institute for domestic workers and expanding opportunities for skill development, knowledge-sharing, and leadership. The Union’s ongoing efforts aim to ensure that domestic workers are valued, protected, and empowered as essential contributors to Jamaica’s social and economic development.