A photo of a domestic worker cleaning
The Domestic Workers Union of Tanzania is urging the government to ratify the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention No. 189, which seeks to safeguard the rights of domestic workers by ensuring fair pay and safe working conditions.
Convention No. 189 focuses on promoting decent work for domestic workers, making it a vital step towards ensuring their rights are respected and labour laws are enforced.
The union’s chairperson, Ms Zanini Athumani, voiced these concerns as Tanzania marked International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, highlighting the widespread abuse and exploitation domestic workers face.
Ms Athumani cited the tragic case of Hadija, a domestic worker in Arusha, who was allegedly raped and murdered, as an example of the dangers workers face.
She made these remarks on Friday, March 7, 2025, during a training session for journalists, which focused on the importance of the ILO Convention and the Employment and Labour Relations Act of 2004.
She stressed that domestic workers are essential to many households, particularly where both parents work, but often suffer exploitation, including lack of maternity leave and unpaid work.
“With the current economic situation, many families rely on domestic workers, who often bear the responsibility of childcare. We urge the government to ratify this convention to ensure their rights and safety,” Ms Athumani said.
Ms Athumani also condemned the widespread practice of terminating workers’ employment upon pregnancy, an issue many domestic workers continue to face in Tanzania.
She called for domestic workers to be recognised and protected under the same legal framework as other workers, with entitlements to leave and fair wages.
She further called on the government to take stronger action against gender-based violence and abuse in the domestic work sector, urging stronger legal protections for workers.
“We are grateful to Chodawu for their efforts in educating domestic workers about their rights. This has empowered them to demand respect and legal compliance from employers,” she added.
A lawyer from the Domestic Workers Union’s advocacy group, Ms Wagala Shungu stressed that Convention No. 189 has been a long-standing demand from domestic workers, whose contributions have frequently been overlooked.
She condemned the degrading treatment many domestic workers continue to face, stating, “The neglect of this sector must end. Domestic workers deserve recognition and full rights.”
Project Coordinator for a programme promoting decent work for domestic workers, Mr Ibrahim Tony, highlighted a project that began in 2018 across eight regions.
He explained that the initiative aims to improve the working conditions of domestic workers by educating them on their rights and labour laws.
“We’ve trained 600 domestic workers at the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), and by the end of this year, we aim to train over 1,280 workers,” he said.
The Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (Chodawu), head of the legal department, Ms Asteria Gerald, explained that the training programme aims to tackle abuse and exploitation within the sector.
She emphasised key provisions of Convention No. 189, such as the right to written contracts, health and safety measures, access to grievance mechanisms, and protections for migrant workers.
“This sector has long been neglected, but if the government ratifies this convention, it will be the only means for domestic workers to secure their rights. Despite existing laws, abuse persists, and workers often lack the safety and protection they deserve,” Ms Gerald added.
A domestic worker from the Morogoro Region, Ms Desderia Simon, shared how Chodawu’s training helped her manage her finances better.
Previously sending her entire salary home to support her family, she learned to balance her income and provide more effectively after receiving the training.
The call for legal protections for domestic workers continues to grow as the sector’s plight remains one of the most pressing issues for women’s rights in Tanzania.