The Caribbean Domestic Workers Network (CDWN) will commemorate International Workers’ Day by advocating for the recognition and protection of domestic workers globally.

International Workers’ Day will take place on May 1 to salute the men and women who work in homes and support families throughout their communities.

“Domestic workers are workers and deserve the same rights and protections as any other worker. It is because of domestic workers that our societies can function, businesses can run, schools can be open, and doctors at hospitals can take care of the sick,” the CWN said in a release.

They for noted that domestic workers play a critical role in many countries but are the least protected worldwide, facing long-standing challenges such as lack recognition, poor working conditions, low pay and limited access to social protection.

The network also said that due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, several domestic workers lost their jobs and are still facing economic hardships.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that there are 503,897 domestic workers in the Caribbean alone.

“This means that fighting for better working conditions for domestic workers in our region will positively impact more than 2.5 million Caribbean citizens, as their families often depend on them for day-to-day living,” the network explained.

“The Caribbean Domestic Workers Network calls on all [regional] countries to ratify and implement the ILO Convention 189 to recognise and protect the rights and decent work conditions of Domestic Workers,” the CDWN continued.

They noted that Caribbean countries such as Guyana, Jamaica, Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda have already ratified Convention 189 (C-189). But the group said that is only four of 20 CARICOM countries and they are pushing to have all CARICOM countries ratify the Convention.

“Ratification is the first step to show commitment to protecting and respecting Domestic Workers. It is critical that laws provide pensions, sick leave benefits, injury benefits, overtime benefits, severance pay and other social security benefits to domestic workers. The National Insurance Schemes (NIS) across all Caribbean countries provide the legal framework for these social protections, but the laws are not enough,” said the group.

“How can a domestic worker work in a household for more than 20 years and on retirement has no pension to rely on? The NIS helps in these situations! Employers must live up to their obligations! Domestic workers deserve dignity, respect, and equal treatment, and we must all work together to achieve this goal,” they added.

The CDWN is a network of unions and associations from Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Grenada, Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia that fights for the rights of domestic workers advocating for the welfare of domestic workers across the Caribbean and beyond.