Domestic workers face a range of challenges in accessing justice when their rights are violated. These include weak protections in labour law; poor enforcement of protections that do exist, leading to low compliance among employers; limited access to legal assistance; and fear of employer retaliation.
As part of our project on Making Convention 189 Real for Domestic Workers, the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) identified a need to provide basic legal training to their affiliate organizations in Africa. This would empower their domestic worker members to defend their rights and assist them in resolving labour disputes.
Since 2021, we have collaborated with IDWF to co-design a legal empowerment training programme that equips domestic workers with the knowledge and skills they need to be able to offer paralegal services through their organizations.