You are here: Home / COVID-19 / The IDWF / B2-Advocacy

We are supporters. We are defenders.

by IDWFED published Apr 30, 2020 11:28 PM

Policy brief by the IDWF

The Domestic Work Policy Brief aims to put the voice of domestic workers (DWs) at the centre and the forefront of their movement. As IDWF has multiple affiliates around the globe, who are domestic workers’ organizations and unions fighting their daily battles for decent work, we use this space to showcase their voice and their advocacy efforts. The brief aims to stimulate and inform policy debates from the perspective of the workers themselves. It provides information on the conditions facing DWs in the wake of COVID-19 and the contextual specificities of each region, to highlight their approaches to and demands of decent work and justice.  

Type: Policy Paper
Author: Roula Seghaier/IDWF
Date: May 1, 2020

This policy brief:

  • reviews factors behind domestic workers’ compound vulnerabilities to COVID-19;
  • presents examples illustrating how each region is responding to the virus and the effects of policy on domestic workers;
  • proposes recommendations to policy makers, concerned employers, and international organizations.
View and download (PDF) :


IDWF Statement and Message:

Regional Summaries:

Learn more about the contexts that our affiliates navigate in different regions:



Advocacy by the IDWF affiliates

Our affiliates are representing the demands of their members and domestic workers (DWs) at large in their countries all over the globe. They have been doing massive advocacy work on COVID-19 ("Every action counts").

In Argentina, UPACP launched the following campaigns:



In Brazil,
FENATRAD launched multiple campaigns at once:

  • Information campaign for workers and their employers, to advocate for a paid leave for DWs for the period of the pandemic.
  • Petition on the topic of paid leaves.
  • Petition to pressure employers and demand a public emergency fund. 
  • Official demand made to the Ministry of Economy demanding a special fund to support the unemployed DWs during the period.
  • Law proposal being finalized by allied deputies to protect DWs is to be presented to the Congress.
  • Brazilian domestic workers’ children started a petition for their moms that was sent to authorities, influencers and journalists.
  • Public rejection letter to oppose the Temporary Measure 927/2020 that the government issued on March 22. The decree allows the suspension of workers without pay for 4 months under COVID-19.

In Hong Kong, FADWU issued the following statement 'Domestic helpers left vulnerable by unclear policy' - RTHK .

In Jamaica,  JHWU is fundraising for DWs

In Mexico,  SINACTRAHO launched a campaign aimed at DWs to provide them with information on how to protect themselves. 

In the Netherlands, FNV launched a fundraiser campaign to support DWs. 

In Paraguay, SINTRADESPY issued a statement asking for solidarity and humanity. 

In South Africa, SADSAWU created a petition calling for the relief fund to include precarious workers

In Switzerland,  SIT issued a statement asking to grant paid leaves to DWs, and additional compensations and rights for those who are employed in care for the elderly and the disabled. They have brought 10 demands to the Geneva Canton

In the US, NDWA created a fund to support DWs who are out of a job.