Domestic Service in Ghana: A case for United Nation’s ILO Trade for Decent Work and Ratification of C189

In 2011, the International Labour Organisation ( ILO) adopted the Domestic workers Convention (C189). This International Labour Standard (ILS), is the global benchmark for measuring decent work in a key aspect of the Care industry. It entered into force in September 2013. But Ghana is yet to Ratify it.

The Domestic Workers convention, premised on social justice for a fair globalization, recognizes the significant contribution domestic workers make to the global economy.

However, this critical service of care continues to be undervalued and invisible in many ways. This is why it is important to renew public commitment to ratify the convention and enable domestic workers to fully enjoy their rights.

While not every work in the house holdings technical referred to us Domestic Worker, thousands of women and girls in Ghana, as well us young men and the elderly are hired by households mainly in the middle class to provide critical service without which many a career woman and executive man may have difficulty in managing their families and homes.

This is why the United Nation’s effort to highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable workers such as domestic service providers, through some interventions in Ghana needs to be sustained. Through the ILO, the UN is contributing to ensure that domestic work in Ghana’s conducted in a manner that is consistent with the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) as agreed by all member states. The FPRW call for Freedom of Association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the Abolition of child labour, no discrimination in the workplace and good occupational Safety and Health for all domestic workers an, in deed their employers. Without the employers, employment is not possible. Therefore the advocacy for the ratification of C189 in Ghana needs to be supported by all.

If we indeed appreciating that the Care Industry is the oxygen Thea keep humanity alive, we should show that by ratifying C189.

The care industry refers to human services provided to enhance well-being, health and quality of life. It includes the traditional healthcare system and home-care services such as domestic work. Domestic work refers to work than in or for the household or house holds. As human beings we have to prioritise caring for one another and appreciating those who work as professional domestic service providers.

Every domestic worker in Ghan must have a contract. The contract document must include the name and address of the employer and of the worker; the address of the usual workplace or workplaces; the starting date and, where the contract is for a specified period of time, its duration; the type of work to be performed; the remuneration, method of calculation and periodicity of payments; the normal hours of work; paid annual leave, and daily and weekly rest periods; the provision of food and accommodation, if applicable; the period of probation or trial period, if applicable; the terms of repatriation, if applicable; and terms and conditions relating to the termination of employment, including any period of notice by either the domestic worker or the employer.

As we continue to grapple with whether or not to allow the formal migration of domestic workers to other countries because we are not sure of how well they would be protected, given the many abuses we here about, we as a people should reflect on the benefits of ratifying the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers and take advantage of the international standards we can apply for the protection of our precious countrymen and women who seek opportunity for employment in other places.

Although there is a national regulation on domestic workers, Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2408, ratifying C188, will reinforce the effective application of the national law and provide a framework of accountability and commendation for our country. We all know that enforcing the law in Ghana is a challenge we are still grappling with. Therefore, this chance to enhance accountability for law enforcement to protect domestic workers should not be something we ignore.

As the ILO Trade for Decent Work interventionist Ghana finds ways to sustain its impact, we look forward to national stakeholders such as the Labour Department, Trades Union Congress ( TUC) of Ghana, Civil Society organisations such as Media and Faith based groups to stand up and be counted for the protection of those who help our households and support our marriages, child care and family system. Domestic workers deserve better!