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University of the Western Cape

University of the Western Cape. Social Law Project Presentation to: IDWN Africa 8 December 2012. SLP, a unit in the Law Faculty, UWC promotes workplace justice through research and training. Knowledge production. University of the Western Cape. Domestic Workers Research Project.

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University of the Western Cape

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  1. University of the Western Cape Social Law Project Presentation to: IDWN Africa 8 December 2012

  2. SLP, a unit in the Law Faculty, UWC promotes workplace justice through research and training

  3. Knowledge production

  4. University of the Western Cape Domestic Workers Research Project

  5. Introduction DWRP was initiated in January 2009 to gain a better understanding of existing problems – including shortcomings in the legislation – affecting domestic workers, and potential solutions involving the affected workers and their organisations, employers and their organisations, government.

  6. Key Findings • Domestic workers provide an essential service and are a significant contributor to the economy • Given that the workplace of domestic workers is somebody else’s private home, it has for a long time remained an unregulated island of employment. • Domestic work is not only gendered work, but it is often undervalued

  7. The psychological dimension of class oppression in the intimacy of the home as a work place has contributed to the disempowered position of domestic workers • A regulatory framework which is rights-based • The purpose of the LRA, e.g. is to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace and democratisation of the workplace

  8. Yet, poor levels compliance • Weak organisation of workers and poorly supported by key stakeholders, including the major trade union federations • Inadequate Data

  9. Inadequate Data Depending on who is reporting and the sources of data, the data content varies from one study to another. Reliable data is essential for effective monitoring and measuring levels of compliance. Effective monitoring, in turn, is essential for improving compliance levels

  10. What can be done to correct the power imbalance and democratise the domestic work place, as prescribed by the LRA?

  11. “Organise orStarve” Universal slogan for the emancipation of workers

  12. Develop a programme capable of reaching the majority of domestic workers and employers. A concerted effort by trade unions, academic institutions, international developmental agencies and NGOs.

  13. What measures could be considered in a collective strategy to promote decent work for domestic workers? • EMPOWERMENT of marginalised workers, is important not only from a trade union perspective; it is part of the bigger picture of transformation envisaged by the Constitution. • All three institutions (Government, trade unions and civil society) need to BUILD and SPREAD AWARENESS about the new standards to make government and the broader public aware of the standards that it sets.

  14. The common aim of a collective strategy should be to ensure, through legislative and policy development, that: • Full effect is given to C189 in the light of R201 • The contribution of domestic workers to the national and international economy is recognised • Obstacles to the enjoyment of domestic workers’ basic rights are systematically identified and addressed, and • The lessons of international best practice are incorporated in law and practice.

  15. Key areas to be addressed: • Awareness: the Department of Labour itself concedes that more is needed to raise awareness among both employers and employees. • Building a culture of compliance: inspections have been shown to be inappropriate as a primary means of promoting compliance. • Data: for monitoring and measuring compliance

  16. Building Institutional Capacity: • Need to build and increase institutional capacity • Need to develop holistic solutions and coordinated activities with stakeholders • Leadership must have clear vision, commitment and ability to mobilise people and resources • Need to craft effective and sustainable solutions

  17. Trade unions & civil society organisations should, as part of the a broader strategy, primarily aim to empower/enable domestic workers to: • Understand their position and identify challenges • Be knowledgeable about their rights in law as workers and citizens • Be knowledgeable about recourse to challenge violations of their rights • Articulate demands for change • Develop appropriate forms of organisation for pursuing those demands

  18. Thank you! www.dwrp.org.za

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