Decent Work Deficit at Its Peak among Migrant Female Domestic Workers’ Working Conditions in Ethiopia

Lombebo Tagesse Sibamo, Lecturer, Researcher and Policy Advisor
Annabel S. Erulkar, Population Council
Kassahun Assres, University Lecturer
Nega Jibat, Jimma University

The study analysis focuses on the working conditions of female domestic workers. It investigates various aspects of their daily work environment in different arenas. Grounded in a constructivist research philosophy, the study employs a cross-sectional qualitative research design to collect primary data, utilizing the convenience sampling method within the non-probability sampling framework. Consequently, primary data from a diverse group of 32 participants, including domestic workers, employers, parents, and stakeholders, is collected. The findings reveal a decent work deficit, including inconsistent and excessive workload, long and unpredictable work hours, inadequate remuneration, arbitrary deductions, salary withholding, unpaid terminations, and financial instability. The absence of legal safeguarding paved the way for an imbalance in power dynamics and limits on the autonomy of subjects as well as paved the way for exploitation and vulnerability. The study recommends government and stakeholder intervention by advocacy and drafting regulations to protect the rights of domestic workers.