The Philippines will be among a number of states this week urging the International Labour Organisation to pass a landmark treaty offering protection to domestic workers across the world.
ILO member states are expected to adopt proposals designed to offer protection to an estimated 52.6 million worldwide.
It would ensure domestic workers enjoyed conditions “not less favourable” than other workers, requiring governments to ensure they understood their rights, preferably through written contracts.
The document also offers domestic workers a full rest day every week, and prevents employers requiring domestic workers to remain with an employer’s household during their annual leave or rest days.
The convention, which is expected to be adopted this week during the 100th annual conference of the ILO, will come into effect upon the ratification of two countries.
ILO chief Juan Somavia told negotiators meeting in Geneva that if it was adopted, they would be “making ILO history”.
Lourdes Trasmonte, chief negotiator for the Philippines, underlined the importance of the convention to the country given the millions of Filipinos working abroad as domestic workers.
“It is a universal right for every worker to be given respect, protection, the right to privacy, the right to health and safety,” she said.
ILO data, which is a compilation of national statistics, indicate that there were at least 52.6 million domestic workers in 2010. But there are reasons to believe that the true number, concealed by undercounting among some states, could lie close to 100 million, the agency added.
Despite the large numbers, domestic workers are still among the most exploited and abused.
Many are required to work irregular and long hours for low pay and are given insufficient rest. Live-in domestic workers in particular can be on call at all times of the day. They are also largely excluded from social protection such as maternity benefits and social security.
Several delegates noted that it was high time for these workers to obtain protection and expressed confidence that the treaty would be adopted, given the broad support this year.
Ms Trasmonte noted: “Countries that are not engaged last year, are engaged this year.” These include Gulf countries, activists said.
While there is no official breakdown for the number of domestic workers in the Gulf, the ILO estimates that there are 2.1 million domestic workers in the Middle East, making up around 5.6 per cent of total employment in the region. The United Arab Emirates, which is speaking for the Gulf countries, declined to comment before the end of negotiations.
Nevertheless, activists said that the Gulf countries have been active in the negotiations, indicating that they are taking a serious look at the treaty.
South Africa’s chief negotiator Virgil Seafield, who was also speaking on behalf of the African group, noted that “the critical mass is there.”