(Brussels, 24 February 2016) There are approximately 2.5 million domestic workers throughout Europe, nearly 30% of whom are excluded from any national labour legislation, according to official figures. These workers are more likely to be subject to bad working and employment conditions, as well as to discrimination in the workplace.
In this context, the European Parliament's women's rights (FEMM) committee last week adopted a report (Thursday 18 February), calling on the European Commission to encourage member states to take legislative initiatives to protect the rights of domestic workers and care staff in the EU.
This report is an own-initiative from Greek MEP Kostadinka Kuneva (GUE/NGL). Ms Kuneva would like to see a common EU recognition of domestic work “as a real work and not simply as an extension of unpaid household and care work”.
Kuneva also stresses that 83% of domestic workers are women and that the vast majority are migrants. "If we regulate this profession, we will be able to reduce trafficking and the abuse of women" she said. MEPs will vote on the report during the April plenary.
The EPSU Working Group for Social Services used the occasion of its most recent meeting (Wednesday 17 February) to inform its affiliates about the FEMM committee’s report. An update on the ratification of the ILO 189 Convention on Domestic Workers in European countries was also presented.
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