From economic, cultural, social, and cultural point of view, it is a fact that domestic workers are the foundation of society and for that they play a critical role in any country’s development.
Estimates revealed that there are approximately 67 million domestic workers worldwide, the vast majority of whom are women. Most of them live in low, middle and developed nations.
However, what makes their story similar is the low-esteem, discrimination and stigma directed at them. This has forced many to the brink of exclusion, stress and hopelessness and other forms of degrading human nature.
In out today edition of The Point, we have run an article in which the Domestic Workers Right Protection Association (ADDAD Gambia) convened a day’s stakeholder dialogue dubbed – ‘justice behind closed-doors.’ The initiative is part of a broader advocacy to advance the rights of domestic workers in all fronts.
The interface is described as a right move as it seeks to enlighten participants about the Labour Act 2023 and the Domestic Violence Act 2013, which provide a strong legal framework to safeguard the rights of domestic workers in The Gambia.
It is sad that despite the tedious work most of these people endure, many are still underpaid and overworked, putting in long hours without overtime pay or benefits.
The funniest part is that in some areas, society tends to looked low upon them, thus exposing them to all sorts of degrading treatments imaginable.
We commend ADDAD for this initiative, which is not only timely but would help empower domestic workers about their rights and laws they could pursue in the event their rights are being violated.
As members of the society, we have a great role to change the status quo and improve the working condition of domestic workers in the country, thus, domestic workers deserve to be treated with respect, while according them right protection at all times.
In any work-related domain, one expects to depend on work benefits, once he or she retires or grows old. But this is a different story for many domestic workers. It is high time society help these people, whom for most or many years remain under the shadows.
Together, we can build a working environment that not only guarantees domestic workers their rights and freedom, but overall helps build a decent society anchored on mutual understanding, compassion and care for all.