Domestic Workers Research ProjectPresentation to:

Parliamentar y Portfolio Committee on Labour2 August 2011

Introduction

DWRP was initiated in January 2009 to gain a better understanding of existing problems – including shortcomings in the legislation – affecting domestic workers, and of potential solutions involving the affected workers, trade unions, DoL and legislators.

1. Implications of Convention 189 for the South African labour marketThe South African Government and Labour played a

central role in the making of ILO Convention 189The Convention is a positive development because:

o it recognises the social and economic importance of domestic workers, and

o challenges South Africa to build on its current efforts to promote labour standards for domestic workers.

The impact of the Convention on the lives of domestic workers will depend on the extent to which South Africa is able to harness the synergies between Government, labour and other roleplayers

2. What measures can Parliament, trade unions and civil society take to promote decent work for domestic workers?

Parliament needs to ratify Convention 189 to make it operative in South Africao South Africa has ratified 20/160 ILO Conventions

and Parliament should ensure that C189 is added to the 20

o DoL to table issue of ratification for discussion in NEDLAC and ensure synchronisation with Parliamentary process

o A formal recommendation from this workshop that the next NEDLAC Council meeting places on its agenda, the ratification of ILO C189.

2. What measures can Parliament, trade unions and civil society take to promote decent work for domestic workers?

Parliament needs to be mindful of implications for national legislation in order to comply with C189, especially with regard to – Article 3 (promotion and protection of rights)Article 5 (abuse, harassment, violenceArticle 6 (fair terms and decent working conditions)Article 8 (migrant workers)Article 9 (living arrangements and personal document)

Article 12(2) (payment in kind)Article 15 (employment agencies) Article 16 (courts, tribunals, dispute

resolution)Article 17(1) and (2) (complaints

mechanisms)

as read with the relevant provisions of R201

2. What measures can Parliament, trade unions and civil society take to promote decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

Trade unions should primarily aim to enable domestic workers to:o Understand their position and identify challengeso Be knowledgeable about their rights in law as

workers and citizenso Be knowledgeable about recourse to challenge

violations of their rightso Articulate demands for changeo Develop appropriate forms of organisation for

pursuing those demands - But this should be part of a broader strategy.

2. What measures can Parliament, trade unions and civil society take to promote decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

A strategy for the empowerment of domestic workers

could be envisaged as a concerted effort by trade unions, academic institutions, international developmental agencies and NGOs, with the support of the DoL, to research and develop a programme capable of reaching the majority of domestic workers.

2. What measures can Parliament, trade unions and civil society take to promote decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

The starting point is that the empowerment of marginalised workers, is important not only from a trade union perspective; it is part of the bigger picture of transformation envisaged by the Constitution.

All three institutions (Parliament, trade unions and civil society) need to build and spread awareness about the new standards to make government and the broader public aware of the standards that it sets.

2. What measures can Parliament, trade unions and civil society take to promote decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

The common aim should be to ensure that, through legislative and policy development, Full effect is given to C189 in the light of R201

The contribution of domestic workers to the national economy is recognised

Obstacles to the enjoyment of domestic workers’ basic rights are systematically identified and addressed, and

The lessons of international best practice are incorporated in law and practice.

3. Does government (Department of Labour) have the capacity to implement measures to ensure decent work for domestic workers?

The objective of regulation in the domestic employment sector, as in other sectors, is to develop a culture of compliance - where compliance is the norm for employers and workers.

Understanding domestic work as decent (not necessarily unskilled) work that deserves to be treated with respect is integral to achieving a culture of compliance.

3. Does government (Department of Labour) have the capacity to implement measures to ensure decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

Key areas to be addressed:Awareness: the Department itself concedes

that more is needed to raise awareness among both employers and employees.

Enforcement: inspections have been shown to be inappropriate as a primary means of promoting compliance.

Data: for monitoring and measuring compliance remains inadequate

Data

1 118 000 Domestic Worker as at May 2011 (LFS)

UIF registration as at November 2010 (DoL UIF database)323 600 Employees95 750 Employers

3. Does government (Department of Labour) have the capacity to implement measures to ensure decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

Key Areas to be addressed: (Contd.)Overall Institutional Capacity:

o Need to develop holistic solutions and coordinate activities within DoL and with other stakeholders

o Need to build and increase institutional capacity e.g. human resources

o Leadership must have clear vision, commitment and ability to mobilise people and resources

o Need to craft effective and sustainable solutions

3. Does government (Department of Labour) have the capacity to implement measures to ensure decent work for domestic workers? (Contd.)

The Way Forward for Government:

To use this opportunity created by Parliament, and draw on the collective resources of the group gathered in the seminar by way of forming a structured partnership that will effectively promote decent work for domestic workers by implementing the strategy proposed above.