Declaration to G7 leaders calling upon better recognition and working conditions in the domestic and home care sector

The Declaration, endorsed by the Canadian Home Care Association, the German Home Economics Council, the Italian Association of Families Domestic Employers (DOMINA), EFSI and the French Federation for personal services and homecare (Fédésap) outlines a set of recommendations for the G7 leaders:

• Ratification of ILO Domestic Care Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189): ensuring equality of treatment and labour and social protection for domestic care workers.
• Promotion of Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining Agreements: Dialogues and agreements between workers and employers often result in better working conditions, competitive wages, and benefits for workers while enabling employers to tackle labour shortages and retain workers.
• Developing Market Conditions that Support the Sector: Implementing socio-fiscal incentives fosters the formalisation of the sector, enhances service quality, reduces undeclared work, and improves working conditions.
• Tackling Undeclared Work: Implementing measures granting workers access to formal jobs not deviating from standard employment rights and protection while enabling users to adequately meet their needs on the formal market at an affordable price.
• Fair Recruitment Practices: Reducing the barriers to temporary work permits, along with fostering reciprocal pension agreements, are essential to protect workers' rights, avoid exploitation, and ensure their entitlements upon return to their home countries.
• Work-Life Balance and Gender-Balancing: Reducing existing gender gaps thanks to alternative support systems such as easier access to affordable and high-quality services. Recruiting more male workers will foster a gender-balanced workforce and a more economically and socially sustainable environment.

The Declaration is also supported by the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF).

Join us in supporting the G7 declaration and advocating for improved conditions for domestic and home care workers. Read our joint statement here.