Protecting the Housekeeper: Legal Agreements Applicable to International Migrant Domestic Workers

Abstract

International migration over the last forty years has been one of the fastest growing phenomena in the world. Many migrants have taken up informal work, such as work in households doing domestic chores and other work. Due to the informal nature of this work and the fact that it is located in the home rather than a large work space with many employees (such as a factory), the so-called ‘employment relationship’ does not always offer decent working conditions or ways to resolve disputes between workers and employers. After a number of high-profile cases of abuse, governments have become more active in negotiating bilateral agreements or memoranda of understanding to address these issues for international migrant domestic workers. This paper will explore the issues and the legal tools used to provide a semblance of equity to the working relationships between international migrant domestic workers and their employers, as well as suggesting what should be done in the future.