National Assembly |12 October 2023
House supports the protection of domestic workers
The National Assembly on Wednesday voted unanimously to ratify the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers (Convention 189).
The motion, tabled by the elected member for Grand Anse Mahé, Waven William, received 25 votes.
The Convention on Domestic Workers is a convention setting labour standards for domestic workers. It is the 189th convention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and was adopted during its 100th session On June 16, 2011. It is a landmark treaty establishing a global framework for domestic workers' recognition and protection.
When presenting the motion, Honourable William said that “ratifying the convention would allow Seychelles to be up to date with the best practices and international norm”, considering that domestic workers face various plight, including the ongoing threat of human trafficking.
He said that ratifying the convention would enhance the workers’ protection locally, adding on to the existing national law for domestic workers introduced in June 2019. It would also allow the government to strengthen its legal framework in line with ILO recommendations.
“Domestic workers represent a significant group in our local labour force but they are still being stifled,” he stated, adding the government remains committed towards their protection.
All the seven members who intervened from both sides spoke on behalf of the motion. The elected member for Au Cap, Kelly Samynadin, who seconded the motion, highlighted women’s representation, stating that out of the 75.6 billion domestic workers worldwide, 76.2 percent were women.
“They are a significant part of the informal labour force, and remains a vulnerable group”, she stated, citing their challenges such as lack of clear working terms and conditions, harsh working conditions with lack of rights and protection among others.
She said it was therefore crucial that the convention is ratified and that countries ensure its implementation. This was echoed by the other six members who spoke. They also cited mistreatment, human rights abuses and the need for stronger engagement by those who ratify the convention.
In his right of reply, Hon. William said the National Assembly was proposing several recommendations in line with the ratification to ensure the group’s protection, such as stronger law and engagement of stakeholders in the sector namely those involved with recruitment of workers, workers unions, ombudsman, domestic workers or their representatives, among others.
He also recommended that a white paper for an amendment or introduction of a new law is presented to the National Assembly before concluding the ratification.
There was also call for the concerned department to do the necessary to ensure the convention was adhered to.
Patsy Canaya