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Domestic Workers to Participate in the 112th International Labour Conference
Geneva
The 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) will be held at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2024. This year’s session will include a general discussion on “Decent work and the care economy”.
A delegation of domestic workers from all regions representing the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), will participate in the committee meetings. They aim to bring the voices and experiences of the most marginalized workers to demand principles and practices that address their specific needs.
Read the IDWF Position Paper
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Domestic workers’ organizations worldwide are committed to ensuring decent work for their sector, leaving no one behind. This commitment involves applying and implementing international labor protection standards for all domestic workers.
The Importance of Care Work
Care is the foundation upon which life itself exists; it is essential for the functioning of humans, societies, and economies. The IDWF supports the definition of care highlighted in the ILO report on Decent Work and the Care Economy, which states that care work is crucial for the future of decent work. This includes both paid and unpaid work, encompassing direct and indirect care.
Participation in the ILC
During the two-week session of the 112th ILC, delegates representing employers’ organizations, trade unions, and government officials of Member States will discuss international labor standards. An IDWF delegation of domestic worker leaders will participate as observers and as part of the worker group to ensure that their voices are heard.
Key Recommendations
The IDWF believes that the conclusions from the general discussions should build on the draft outcome document of the committees regarding decent work and the care economy. Key recommendations include:
- Ratification and Implementation of Convention 189: Efforts should be made to ensure the ratification and effective implementation of Convention 189 to address decent work deficits among domestic workers. The IDWF requests the ILO Office to scale up promotional campaigns and provide technical assistance for Member States that have not yet ratified C189, as well as offer support and guidance for those that have already done so.
- Technical Support and Training: The ILO should provide technical support, guidance, and training to its tripartite constituents to strengthen the capacity for social dialogue mechanisms. This will help address decent work deficits for domestic workers and effectively guarantee their voice and representation.
- Policy Guidance on National Frameworks: The IDWF urges the ILO to offer policy guidance and training to tripartite constituents on developing national policy frameworks, roadmaps, and action plans on the care economy. These policies should promote decent work for domestic workers and incorporate their right to care as a core component of national care policies.
- Continued ILO Research and Data Development: The IDWF supports the continuation of ILO research and data development on the care economy. These efforts provide valuable inputs to promote decent work for domestic workers and aid in reaching a tripartite common understanding of the care economy, guided by the ILO’s 5R framework.
By participating in the ILC, the IDWF aims to ensure that domestic workers’ issues are recognized and addressed, paving the way for better working conditions and rights for all domestic workers globally.
Read the Joint Position Paper from Global Networks:
International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), StreetNet International, HomeNet International, International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP), Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), India, and WIEGO.
ILC Conclusions
Outcome of the General Discussion Committee on Decent Work and the Care Economy at the ILC 2024:
More information:
- The Centrality of Care and Support from a Human Rights Perspective. Maria Elena Valenzuela, IDWF, April 2024. English, French, Spanish
- IDWF Resolutions adopted in the 4th Congress, October 2023. English, French, Spanish
- Platform of Demands: Violence and harassment against women and men in the world of work. IDWF, June 2018.
- ILO, 2024. Decent Work and the Care Economy, 2024. English, French
- ILO, 2024. From global care crisis to quality care at home: The case for including domestic workers in care policies and ensuring their rights at work..
- ILO, 2023. Skilled to care, forced to work? Recognizing the skills profiles of migrant domestic workers in ASEAN amid forced labour and exploitation.
- ILO, 2021. Making Decent Work a Reality for Domestic Workers: Progress and Prospects Ten Years after the Adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189).
- ILO, Walk Free, & IOM. Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage. ILO, 2022.
- The ILO “Roadmap: Investing in Care to Make Domestic Work Decent Work”, adopted by several Latin American Member States, provides guidance to achieve decent work in the care sector, particularly for domestic workers.
- The Buenos Aires Commitment, adopted by Latin America and the Caribbean Member States, November 2022.
- As Asia changes and ages, domestic workers are in demand – but who will stand up for their rights? – Views & Voices (oxfam.org.uk)
- A paradigm shift for Care and Domestic Work. – International Domestic Workers Federation (idwfed.org)
- IDWF Statement for the Int. Day of Care and Support 2023: Domestic Work is Care Work – International Domestic Workers Federation (idwfed.org)
- Domestic Work is Care Work (2022): Domestic Work is Care Work – International Domestic Workers Federation (idwfed.org)
- Understanding Care (2022): Understanding CARE – International Domestic Workers Federation (idwfed.org)
- https://www.solidaritycenter.org/publication/mapping-domestic-work-and-discrimination-in-africa/
- https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/8.-Final-ASEAN-Comprehensive-Framework-on-Care-Economy.-20-Oct-2021.pdf
Domestic workers at the International Labour Conference
Read more about previous strategies that helped achieve significant victories for domestic workers on this global stage.
Media contacts:
Sofia Trevino (onsite in Geneva): +1613-290-5258; [email protected]
