Document Details

Domestic and care work undertaken in the private home is not new to
Ireland. Historically, wealthy households paid women from working-class
backgrounds to undertake tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and caring
for children and older people. As a direct result of the economic and
social changes which have taken place in recent years, it is now more
likely to find a migrant woman fulfilling these roles in Irish households.
Unfortunately for many of these women their working conditions are
proving problematic; Ireland is not unique amongst western democratic
states in relation to the problems associated with this sector. Evidence
has emerged demonstrating problems in relation to pay and deductions
from pay; the broad and varied range of tasks allocated; long hours of
work; lack of access to holiday and leave entitlements; lack of privacy;
and experiences of discrimination.
This report highlights the experiences of migrant women employed in
the private home in Ireland. It examines the various ways they are
economically and socially excluded, in the context of how domestic
work is defined and structured in Ireland. This report documents the
experiences of 20 women who sought support from the Migrant Rights
Centre Ireland (MRCI) over a six-month period in 2003. The issues and
problems which were raised by the women involved in this study
broadly reflect the patterns of vulnerability which have been identified
by the MRCI in its ongoing support and advocacy work.
This report does not intend to take the ‘moral high ground’ in relation
to employers. The MRCI is aware that many employers are anxious to
ensure that their employees are respected and have access to their rights
and entitlements as workers. However it appears that a significant
number of employers are willing to subject their employees to
unacceptable employment standards.
The report consists of three main sections. The first section provides a
contextual analysis of migration in the Irish context, the feminisation of
migration, and the specificities of domestic work. The second section
presents an overview of the experiences of the 20 women involved in
this study. It considers the range of problems which they have faced
including those relating to pay, hours of work, leave, documentation,
privacy, and discrimination. Section three presents the recommendations
for action that would support the realisation of equal rights for this
group of vulnerable workers. The recommendations are intended to be
practical and realisable; they are broadly discussed under three main objectives: promote equal treatment, promote equal opportunities, and
prevent discrimination. The recommendations are addressed at all
sectors of Irish society including government, employers, trade unions,
and the community and voluntary sector.
Methodology
Through its support and advocacy work the MRCI has become
increasingly aware of the problems facing migrant women working in
the private home in Ireland. During a six-month period in 2003 the
MRCI conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 of the women who
had come to its offices seeking support.
The women were from countries such as the Ukraine, Latvia, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. They were all either employed
or had been employed as domestic workers and/or care workers. The
interviews were written up by the staff of the MRCI and formed the
basis of the case study analysis in this report. This material has been
supplemented by a literature review and references evidence which has
emerged in other countries.
While this is not a comprehensive review of all the problems facing
domestic workers in Ireland, it illustrates the types of problems that are
being encountered by some workers who managed to find help. The
women who came to the MRCI seeking support and who participated in
this study wanted to use their experiences to ensure that other workers
do not encounter the same problems.
Recognising the urgent need facing these women, during the study the
MRCI established a Domestic Workers Support Group (DWSG). The
DWSG constitutes a significant forum for migrant women employed as
domestic workers seeking support and solidarity. A number of the
women contributing to this report are, or were, active members of the
support group.