Asean nations must uphold standards to protect their domestic workers

Often called the largest “invisible workforce”, there are almost 10 million domestic workers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. More than 2 million are migrants, and domestic workers make up nearly 20 per cent of migrant workers in the region.

This week, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ 10th Forum on Migrant Labour meets in Manila, celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. It coincides with the 6th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention on Domestic Workers. Adopted by all ILO member states in 2011, this sets out that all domestic workers have the same basic labour rights as other workers: reasonable work hours and pay, weekly rest, clear information on employment terms and conditions, access to social security and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, including freedom of association.

But in most Asean states, domestic workers are excluded from social security, minimum wage and limits on working hours. A recent study showed 61 per cent of domestic workers in Asia were excluded from labour protections, and only 3 per cent enjoyed equal protection with general workers.

Another ILO report found that globally, domestic work is the top sector for forced labour. Migrant domestic workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation, as they depend on recruiters and employers, work in isolation and lack social networks. A recent ILO survey showed that migrant domestic workers in two Asean countries work 14 hours a day on average, only 40 per cent have a day off each week and most are paid below minimum wage.