Labour exploitation of migrants 2014, para. 50

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Paragraph text
Migrant domestic workers, the majority of whom are women and girls, are extremely vulnerable to violence and abuse. ILO Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers clearly recognizes domestic work as work. However, in many countries, domestic workers are not recognized as "workers", and thus not protected by labour law. As a consequence, they have no labour rights, no annual leave, no established working hours and no minimum salary. They are sometimes also excluded from rights relating to social security laws. Some countries rely on domestic work to be regulated by the work contract only, rather than by law. However, it is difficult for migrant domestic workers to claim their rights when their work is frequently considered informal, and not regulated by law. If the employer has diplomatic immunity, this renders the domestic worker even more vulnerable, due to the possible scope of the employer's immunity from criminal prosecution and civil claims.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Governance & Rule of Law
  • Movement
Person(s) affected
  • Girls
  • Persons on the move
  • Women
Year
2014
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
50