CLADHO releases a domestic Worker’s Baseline Survey

Noting the deprived treatment of domestic child workers, horrifying working condition and harsh treatment, CLADHO a local NGO that works recently released baseline survey about domestic child work rights.

In survey conducted in 2015 in collaboration with IDAY International in partnership with NCC and CESTRAR, the organization identifies and highlights policies and legal instruments that protect or promote the rights of domestic workers.

Such highlights include the right to education, right to be protected against all forms of violence and abuse at workplace including sexual and gender based violence, right to access social security and health care insurance schemes, right to be protected against occupational health and safety risks at the workplace, and right to form trade unions, etc.

A total of  2, 248 domestic workers with a focus on child domestic workers were interviewed, in the districts of Kicukiro, Gasabo, Nyarugenge, Muhanga, Ruhango, Huye, Karongi, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze, Gicumbi, Kayonza, Nyagatare, Kirehe and Bugesera.

Overall, it found out that 94.8% of the domestic workers were single, 56.3% of the respondents were women while 43.7% were men, which means women’s are likely more engaged in domestic activities than men.

53% were aged between 16-20 years while 6.5% of under than 16 years old, meaning that in Rwanda there is a growing awareness of the degree to which children under the age of 18 under take all sorts of roles and occupations doing domestic works.

87.6 % showed they attended school meaning they know how to read and write in different areas like mechanics, construction, sewing, driving and agriculture. It was discovered that women work in sectors like hospitality, catering, knitting or sewing.

The baseline survey reveals that the minimum salary of domestic workers is RWF 11,900 per month while the median salary is RWF 10,000 per month with a standard deviation equal to RWF 1,096.9.

However, 12% showed they are abused, 21% are beaten up, while 56% are intimidated and 45% of the respondents interviewed said they were forced into sexual intercourses between 1 and 5 times, while 50% stated that they have been forced only once.

Emmanuel Safari the Executive Secretary CLADHO says the in International Labor Organization Convention No 189 and recommendation No 201 explains decent work for domestic workers adopted on 16 June 2011 by the ILO international conference:

“There is strong recognition of the economic and social value of domestic work and there is a call for action to address the existing exclusions of domestic workers from labor and social protection.”

“Given that most domestic workers are women, the new standards are important step to advance gender equality in the world of work and ensure women’s equal rights and protection under the law.” Safari explained

In the geographical location between these countries: Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and DRC, there is an estimated 8.5 million domestic workers in these countries, which means over 1 domestic worker per household.

It is also estimated that I/3 of these domestic workers are under legal age of work! According to the 5 national surveys that were conducted by IDAY, an international NGO in 2015, over 18,000 domestic workers and employers were interviewed.

Evariste Murwanashyaka the coordinator of IDAY International Project explained that children and youth in Rwanda and Africa in general are involved in domestic work, an occupation that exposes many of them to slavery-like conditions, multiple forms of psychological, physical and sexual violence and deprivation of education.

“We need campaigns for the protection, legal recognition, training of child and adult domestic workers. We are convinced that legal recognition of domestic work and provision of education opportunities are paramount to eliminating child domestic labor and promoting domestic workers rights.” Murwanashyaka opined

The survey further reveals that, some of these domestic workers are beaten, the girls get pregnant, and others don’t comprehend their rights when it means getting employed since they cannot read or write which turns out to be a burden to not only to the parents, families and to the government since it strains the national resources.

Alexander Twahirwa the Director of Labor research and administration in the MIFOTRA explained that the nation policy (Political and Legal framework) which is the stated in the Vision 2020 represents long-term development aspirations of Rwanda.

“The GOV is committed notably to reaching Universal education which is one of the most important Millennium Development Goals; the objective cannot be reached if young girls and boys under 16 are at risk to drop out school for domestic work.

“The GOV of Rwanda has ratified the International Labour Convention n° 138 of June 26, 1973 concerning the Minimum Age for admission to Employment; and the International Labour Convention n° 182 of June 17, 1999 concerning Worst Forms of Child Labour. This demonstrates the political will and strong commitment of the GOV.”

Twahirwa further added that “The National Policy for Elimination of Child Labor elaborates notably to create an enabling environment for the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor.”

Among the policies articulates by government include: withdraw all children engaged in child labor, by providing them education opportunities through technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The second strategy is to rehabilitee those children withdrawn from child labor by providing them with a comprehensive psycho social counseling, talent identification and recreation services like skills building sessional and medical care.

Raising community awareness and promoting behavior change as well as strengthening the capacity of institutions and communities so that child phenomenon is well understood and establish mechanism.

The last strategy is that is articulated is monitoring and evaluation of activities related to child labor elimination and carrying out research aimed at analyzing trends.

End.

Muhamudu Muhe

Sekanyange Jean Leonard, Chairperson of CLADHO giving remarks about the sarvey.

Alexander Twahirwa the Director of Labor research and administration in the MIFOTRA explains the nation policy (Political and Legal framework).

Comrade Mpakanyi Gaspard on behalf of CESTRAR, said domestic workers have to enjoy the same human benefits just like other workers.

Journalists from different media outlets attended the workshop.