Domestic worker hanging clothes in Asia

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Domestic workers

Domestic work is care work, it is high time we make it decent work.

Domestic workers provide essential direct and indirect care services in or for households.

Globally, 75.6 million people, most of them women and many migrants are employed in this sector, representing 4.5 per cent of all workers. Despite their critical role in sustaining families, societies, and economies, domestic workers remain largely undervalued, underprotected, and underrepresented.

In 2021, the ILO found that 81 per cent were informally employed, highlighting persistent legal and enforcement gaps. As demand for care rises due to demographic shifts and declining unpaid care, securing decent work for domestic workers through fair reward, strong legal protections, and meaningful representation is more urgent than ever.

How do domestic workers fare in your country?

How do domestic workers fare in your country?

ILO Brief: Centering Reward and Representation for Domestic Workers in the Care Economy

ILO Brief: Centering Reward and Representation for Domestic Workers in the Care Economy

Podcast: Is domestic work care work?

Podcast: Is domestic work care work?

A African woman is hanging colourful clothes on a clothesline outside a stone-walled building with windows.

Standards text

Domestic Workers Convention and Recommendation

A African woman is hanging colourful clothes on a clothesline outside a stone-walled building with windows.
Progress toward decent work for domestic workers
Group of domestic workers, trade union representatives and supporters standing together at the International Labour Conference, holding a large "C189" sign and a banner calling for ratification and implementation of the Domestic Workers Convention. Participants raise joined hands in celebration following the adoption of Convention No. 189 on decent work for domestic workers.

Standards impact

Progress toward decent work for domestic workers

Group of domestic workers, trade union representatives and supporters standing together at the International Labour Conference, holding a large "C189" sign and a banner calling for ratification and implementation of the Domestic Workers Convention. Participants raise joined hands in celebration following the adoption of Convention No. 189 on decent work for domestic workers.

News and stories

Sierra Leone strengthens protections and decent work for domestic workers
Participants at the meeting on strengthening the implementation of ILO Convention No. 189 on domestic workers in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone strengthens protections and decent work for domestic workers

Safer coffee work takes root as local capacity grows in Viet Nam’s coffee communities

Occupational Safety and Health

Safer coffee work takes root as local capacity grows in Viet Nam’s coffee communities

More news and stories

Policy resources

Latest publications and documents

Gap Analysis and Review of the Domestic Worker Training in Tanzania: Study Report

Gap Analysis and Review of the Domestic Worker Training in Tanzania: Study Report

Policy Brief - Assessment of Domestic Workers Providing Care and Support to Persons with Disabilities in Kenya.png

Policy Brief - Assessment of Domestic Workers Providing Care and Support to Persons with Disabilities in Kenya.png

Review of international experience on protecting rights of domestic workers in selected countries

Report

Review of international experience on protecting rights of domestic workers in selected countries

Browse all publications

ILO's work on this topic

External links

Contact info

For additional information on the ILO's Domestic Work topic please contact the Inclusive Labour Markets, Wages and Working Conditions Branch at [email protected]