Because their work requires them to be in others’ home—often multiple homes—and to come in close contact with individuals and items that may be carrying the virus, domestic workers are frontline workers in this pandemic, and at risk.
Underlining that risk, a 63-year-old domestic worker in Rio de Janeiro was Brazil's first COVID-19 fatality, after she caught the virus from a client who had returned from Italy.
Since the global pandemic began, domestic workers in all regions of the world have reported multiple issues. Live-in workers have been told to work more to keep their employers’ home extra clean; some have been told they cannot leave the home at all.
Many who come into work have also been told to increase their work—with no additional pay. Or they have had their hours cancelled with no compensation. Because of socio-economic bias and stigma, many domestic workers are being treated as vectors of disease.
The International Domestic Workers Federation has called for the enforcement of paid sick leave and adequate compensation in the event of dismissal in their Statement on Protecting Domestic Workers Rights and Fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic [ en español | en français ]
Most domestic workers cannot stop working without losing essential income they and their families need to survive.
Safety resources for Domestic Workers and Employers: Fighting COVID-19 Together
Interventions for Domestic Workers
In South Africa, unions have advocated for domestic workers and raised funds to provide support to the most desperate. “The employers could still let their workers come in and work, but they need to buy the correct things to protect their workers. Like hand gloves, masks, sanitisers, said the assistant general secretary of the SA Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) Eunice Dhladhla. The president of the United Domestic Workers of SA (UDWOSA), Pinky Mashiane, said “If employers tell their domestic workers to stay at home, they must still get paid for that.”
A spokesperson for the department of labour, Teboho Thejane, agreed, noting domestic workers are covered by the Labour Relations Act and others. Read the full article in the Times Live
In Mexico this CBC news article looks at how the health and economic impacts could devastate informal workers. WIEGO's Sofia Trevino is quoted: "I'm in constant conversation with the different informal workers groups. Domestic workers are 2.2 million women in Mexico. Most of them are being dismissed without compensation."
Argentina (Spanish): IDWF Vice-President Carmen Britez from UPACP gave a webinar with public authorities and civil society organizations: “Las Desigualdades de Generos y Cuidados ante la Pandemia,” Watch it on Youtube
Dominican Republic (Spanish): A letter by three IDWF affiliates (ATH, FENAMUTRA, SINTRADOMES) to Danilo Medina, President of DR calling for the inclusion and recognition of the domestic workers' sector in emergency relief programs.
Margarita Cedeño, Vice-president of Dominican Republic makes commitment to find a solution for unprotected domestic workers during the pandemic. “Margarita se compromete a buscar solución a trabajadoras domésticas desprotegidas ante crisis”
Video interview with Ruth Diaz, General Secretary of FENAMUTRA
Guinea: A May 1st Inteview with Asamou Bah, IDWF ExCo member in Guinea and GS of the Syndicat National des Employés de Maison de Guinée (SYNEM-GUINEE): Fête du 1er mai: l'appel by Mme Doukouré Asmaou Bah en faveur des employés de maison et des hotels
In Brazil (Portuguese): the National Federation of Domestic Workers (Fenatrad) and Themis (Gender, Justice and Human Rights) have started a campaign for domestic workers (in Portuguese) to be suspended with pay while the risk of infection continues, or to be given the tools to protect against risk, including masks and hand-sanitizing gel.
Government decree: Annex I lists essential activities; Domestic services is under no. 58. Workers explained that before quarantine domestic work was not valued or recognized as essential.
FENAMUTRA responded to government decree No. 729 in a note: “Take care of those who take care of you! Protect your domestic worker!” See FENATRAD's Note and a related news article.
In the USA, the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) launched a Coronavirus Care Fund: an emergency relief fund for domestic workers facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The goal of the fund is to raise $4 million to support 10,000 workers.
The virus highlights how much domestic workers need protections, just like everyone else. Nannies, house cleaners and other domestic workers are not entitled to severance pay, paid sick leave, health and unemployment insurance or other benefits that would help us survive this pandemic.
Read "I Was Fired Because of the Coronavirus" in the New York Times
Ai-jen Poo, founder of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, wrote a piece for the New York Times. “Protect Caregivers From Coronavirus: Workers who have been in the shadows could be essential to stemming the spread of the virus”
NDWA has also put together resources for its membership to help them navigate the risks.
Article on how COVID-19 affects US Domestic Workers
In Pune, India, where coronavirus cases have been reported, citizens began training domestic workers and others at risk on how to reduce the risk of contracting and/or spreading the disease.
Netherlands: The Dutch union FNV is helping its members who are migrant domestic workers advocate with their employers for continued work or continued payment where the household does not want the domestic worker to continue to attend to their duties. When domestic workers—and particularly migrants—lose their daily earnings, they rapidly experience financial hardship.
A group has proposed that an emergency fund be established to which clients and third parties can transfer support funds. Funds can then be divided and issued to those who have lost their earnings.
They have also issued instructions on health and safety in the workplace, particularly maintaining social distance and heightened hygiene procedures.
A template letter has been provided to FNV members for use with their clients. It asks that the domestic worker be allowed to continue to provide services. If the client suspends services, the letter asks that they take seriously their obligations as a contractor and continue to pay at least 70% of the regular wages. If the domestic worker wants, they can direct clients to the FNV union director, who will inform the client of the domestic workers’ rights in accordance with the European Social Charter on basic labour rights.
In Peru, domestic workers are asking employers to provide them with written contracts, so that during the current imposed curfew they can show the contract to proceed to their work.