'Domestic workers don't seem to receive the same respect'

1 May 2018 10:53 AM

As we celebrate Workers' Day, it is a good time to reflect on a group of workers who remain not only one of the largest sectors in this country, but are also among the most vulnerable to exploitation. These are domestic workers.

Domestic work is one of the largest sources of employment in this country.

READ: The Western Cape worker is celebrated on Workers Day

Speaking to Pippa Hudson, researcher at the Social Economic Institution of South Africa, Kelebogile Khunou said the underlying problems that domestic workers have to face on a daily basis is the fact that as a society we don't value their contribution to society.

Domestic workers don't seem to receive the same respect as others. It's not seen as real work. And I think part of the reason is that it's located in the home which is a site that is not typically thought of as a site of work. But I think the main reason is that tasks like cooking, cleaning and caring for children are task expected to be done by women without pay.
— Kelebogile Khunou, Researcher at the Social Economic Institution of South Africa

Listen below to the full interview:

Written by: Matshepo Sehloho

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