The struggle for recognition of and respect for\u00a0domestic workers\u2019 rights is a long and arduous\u00a0road aggravated by rapid changes in our globalized\u00a0world. Domestic work is considered to be one of the\u00a0largest, yet unprotected segments of the labour\u00a0sector. This is so because in many countries domestic\u00a0workers are not covered by labour legislation. Even if\u00a0laws and protection mechanisms are in place, the\u00a0nature of domestic work (working in private
\nhouseholds) prevents most domestic workers from\u00a0accessing information about their rights.\u00a0While cognizant of the existing policy reforms\u00a0affecting domestic workers, these changes fall far\u00a0short of the reforms needed to combat widespread\u00a0abuse, much less remove the systematic\u00a0vulnerabilities and discrimination\/ marginalization of
\ndomestic workers.<\/p>\n
MFA\u2019s campaign to provide legal protection for\u00a0domestic workers has been intensified due to these\u00a0existing gaps in national labour laws where in most\u00a0cases domestic workers are excluded.<\/p>\n
The ILO has repeatedly expressed that unless a\u00a0Convention or Recommendation expressly excludes\u00a0domestic workers, these workers are included in the\u00a0international instrument\u2019s scope1. Further, the ILO\u00a0also takes the position that the specific nature of\u00a0domestic work is not an adequate reason to exclude\u00a0such workers from the protection of international\u00a0labour standards.<\/p>\n