Workers in houses have renewed calls for the government to urgently ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189, which guarantees decent working conditions for millions employed in households across the country.
Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop in Morogoro on dispute resolution mechanisms, domestic workers expressed concern that delays in ratifying the convention are exposing them to exploitative conditions, including lack of formal contracts, limited rest, absence of legal protection, and infringement of privacy rights.
“Many of us are still working in risky environments. We don’t have contracts or legal safeguards. We face long hours, limited privacy, and minimal recognition,” said Desdelia Saimon, a domestic worker from Morogoro.
Adopted by the ILO in 2011, Convention 189 calls for fair treatment of domestic workers, including formal employment arrangements, protection against abuse, fair wages, and access to social protection rights many domestic workers in Tanzania continue to lack.
“If ratified, the convention will open up many opportunities and protections for us. It directly concerns our sector. We are pleading with President Samia Suluhu Hassan to approve it so we can enjoy the same protections afforded to other workers,” said Nasra Selemani, a domestic worker from Dar es Salaam.
Despite existing national labour laws that recognise the role of domestic workers, enforcement remains a challenge due to legal barriers that prevent private homes from being classified as formal workplaces.
Zanini Athuman, Chairperson of the Tanzania Domestic Workers Association, said that ratifying the convention would provide a strong legal framework for addressing these gaps.
“Domestic workers, particularly those living with employers, need guaranteed rights—adequate rest, dignity, and protection from abuse. This convention spells all of that out clearly,” he noted.
The Secretary General of the Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers’ Union (CHODAWU), Mr. Said Wamba, called on domestic workers to join trade unions to amplify their voices and collectively push for their rights.
“These workers perform critical roles in our homes and society, but they remain at the bottom in terms of rights and recognition. This is not a CHODAWU issue alone—it’s a national responsibility,” Wamba stressed.
To address systemic challenges, the ILO has partnered with the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) and other stakeholders to facilitate the workshop, which brought together key government representatives and domestic worker leaders.
ILO Project Coordinator Ms. Chiku Semfuko said the training aims to enhance awareness among domestic workers about where to seek help when disputes arise.
CMA Director General Mr. Usekelege Mpulla disclosed that the Commission has developed a dedicated dispute resolution guideline specifically tailored to domestic workers.
“We have structured tools to ensure that domestic workers receive timely justice. With this training, our mediators are better positioned to resolve disputes more efficiently,” he said.
In her opening remarks, Assistant Labour Commissioner in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Ms. Rehema Moyo, urged CMA to prioritise the grievances of domestic workers.
“These workers face some of the most difficult conditions. It is crucial that they are aware of their rights and the available legal channels to address their concerns,” she said.
The workshop is part of broader efforts to strengthen legal protections for domestic workers, whose role in supporting households and contributing to the national economy often goes unrecognised.
With pressure mounting from labour unions, international organisations, and the workers themselves, stakeholders say the time is now for Tanzania to ratify ILO Convention 189 and offer long-overdue protection to domestic workers across the country.