Raising the voice of the invisible ILO Convention 189 and the future of Tanzania’s Domestic Workers

C.189

Raising the voice of the invisible ILO Convention 189 and the future of Tanzania's Domestic Workers

In 2025, domestic workers in Tanzania made history by joining the national May Day celebrations for the first time. This article explores their growing visibility, the push for the ratification of ILO Convention 189, and the future of decent work for this essential workforce.

10 June 2025

As Tanzania observed International Workers' Day on 1 May 2025, a historic and long overdue milestone unfolded the formal inclusion of domestic workers in the national May Day celebrations for the very first time. For a workforce often hidden in plain sight, this moment marked a powerful step toward dignity, visibility, and recognition.

According to Tanzania's 2020/21 Integrated Labour Force Survey, approximately 5.6% of the nation's 23.5 million employed population work in the domestic sector. Of these, 66.5% are women. Despite their essential contributions caring for children, managing households, and supporting families' domestic workers have long operated on the margins of labour protections, often without formal contracts, social security, or legal recognition.

From Margins to Marches: May Day 2025

Thanks to the ILO's RBSA-supported initiative titled "Improving the Recognition and Working Conditions of Domestic Workers as Care Workers in Tanzania," domestic workers were not only present at the 2025 May Day parade in Singida they were recognized as a vital part of the labour force. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Prime Minister's Office for Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities, CHODAWU, and TUCTA, aims to turn international labour standards into real improvements for domestic workers in Tanzania.

The participation of domestic workers attracted the largest media attention the sector has ever received, elevating their voices and highlighting their long-standing demands for fair treatment, contracts, and decent working conditions.

During the national celebrations, the Minister of State, Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete, publicly acknowledged domestic workers' contributions and reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving their working conditions. On 12 May 2025, he further announced in Parliament that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had directed the Ministry to fast-track the ratification of ILO Convention 189, which guarantees the rights of domestic workers globally.

In the lead-up to May Day, over 30 domestic workers from different regions participated in a two-day training workshop in Singida, supported by the ILO. The training covered Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), HIV/AIDS awareness, labour rights, and key ILO conventions C.189 (Decent Work for Domestic Workers) and C.190 (Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work). Seven journalists also took part to improve the quality and accuracy of public reporting on domestic workers' issues.

Caroline Mugalla, ILO Country Director for Eastern Africa, opened the training by underscoring the importance of understanding and applying these conventions in advocacy work. Asteria Mathias, CHODAWU's Head of Legal Department, emphasized that domestic workers often shoulder responsibilities far beyond their wages serving as caregivers, cleaners, and even parental figures yet continue to face low pay and poor treatment.

The workshop also gave participants a safe space to share painful but critical stories. Testimonies included accounts of sexual harassment, physical abuse, religious discrimination, social isolation, and even starvation. Several workers spoke of colleagues who had suffered permanent injuries or even died because of employer abuse. Others described being denied access to household toilets or being forced to change their names to secure employment.

Group photo of ILO Director Country Office for East Africa, Ms Caroline Khamati and Domestic workers in Singida participate in a transformative two-day training session focused on rights, skills development, and workplace safety.

Husna Ngusa, a domestic worker from Dar es Salaam, noted that many domestic workers work without contracts, endure long hours, and are often not allowed to visit their families or care for their own children when they fall ill.

Zanini Athumani, Chairperson of the Domestic Workers Union of Tanzania, put it plainly: "We are not asking for luxury, just fair treatment and recognition." She reaffirmed that ratifying Convention 189 would finally guarantee labour protections for domestic workers equal to those of other categories of workers.

Zanini Athumani, Chairperson of the Domestic Workers Union, calls for fair treatment and recognition of domestic workers

Usekelege Mpulla, Director of the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA), acknowledged these concerns and urged domestic workers to report grievances to CMA offices, which are in all regions. He also called on all household employers to issue formal contracts and respect national labour laws and human rights.

CMA Director Usekelege Mpulla encourages domestic workers to seek support through CMA services

The significance of May Day 2025 cannot be overstated. It was a moment of visibility and validation for a group long overlooked. But it must also be seen as a beginning not an end.

As we move toward the World Day for Domestic Workers (WDDW) on 16 June 2025, there is an opportunity to build on this momentum. WDDW provides a platform to renew calls for policy reform, national ratification of ILO Convention 189, and real accountability for the protection of domestic workers' rights.

May Day marked a break through but June 16 can be the next defining milestone in the movement for domestic workers in Tanzania.

Raising the Voice of the Invisible: A Reflective Look at ILO Convention 189 and the Future of Domestic Workers in Tanzania

As we look back on Tanzania's 2025 International Workers' Day, held on 1 May, it is important to pause and reflect on a significant, long overdue milestone in the country's labour movement: the formal inclusion of domestic workers in national May Day celebrations for the first time. Though the event has now passed, its symbolic and practical implications continue to resonate, opening new paths toward dignity, recognition, and rights for one of the most undervalued segments of the workforce.

Domestic work remains largely invisible, despite being indispensable to the functioning of homes, families, and societies. According to the 2020/21 Integrated Labour Force Survey, approximately 5.6% of Tanzania's 23.5 million employed people work in the domestic sector. Among them, women represent a striking 66.5%. Yet, domestic workers have long operated on the periphery of labour rights often without written contracts, access to social protection, or enforcement of national labour laws.

A breakthrough moment on May Day

The 2025 May Day parade in Singida offered a profound moment of recognition. Thanks to the ILO's RBSA-supported initiative, "Improving the Recognition and Working Conditions of Domestic Workers as Care Workers in Tanzania," and in partnership with the Prime Minister's Office for Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities, CHODAWU, and TUCTA, domestic workers marched not only in solidarity but in full visibility.

This was more than symbolic participation. It was a public affirmation of their value within the labour force. The event drew the highest media attention the domestic work sector has ever received in Tanzania, elevating the voices of workers and advocates who have long called for change.

A group of domestic worker's in Tanzania matching and showcasing various message arguing the government of the United Republic of Tanzania to ratify C.189

During the celebrations, Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete, Minister of State, explicitly acknowledged the contributions of domestic workers and reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving their working conditions. On 12 May, he further announced in Parliament that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had directed the Ministry to fast-track the ratification of ILO Convention 189 a landmark step that, if fulfilled, would enshrine domestic workers' rights in line with international standards.

Empowerment through learning and storytelling

In the days leading up to May Day, over 30 domestic workers from across Tanzania convened in Singida for a two-day workshop organized with ILO support. The sessions addressed key labour issues, including occupational safety and health (OSH), HIV/AIDS awareness, and an introduction to ILO Conventions 189 and 190. A group of seven journalists also participated, strengthening the quality of media coverage on domestic worker issues.

A group of Domestic workers and Journalist in Singida Tanzania during the two day training session.

The training offered more than technical knowledge. It provided a safe, empowering space for domestic workers to share personal stories many of which were difficult but vital. Several participants recounted experiences of physical and sexual abuse, religious discrimination, long working hours without rest, and extreme isolation. Some spoke of being denied basic human needs, such as food and access to sanitation, while others described the emotional toll of being unable to care for their own children while serving in other households.

Domestic Workers in Singida Tanzania discussing on the Labour rights, OSH and HIV/AIDS during the two-day training session

These stories underscored a harsh reality: domestic workers are entrusted with some of the most intimate and essential aspects of people's lives, yet they remain among the most poorly treated and legally unprotected workers in the country.

Moving from commitment to action

The voices of these workers were echoed by their union representatives and advocates. Zanini Athumani, Chairperson of the Domestic Workers Union of Tanzania, stated simply and powerfully: "We are not asking for luxury just fair treatment and recognition." Meanwhile, Usekelege Mpulla, Director of the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA), encouraged domestic workers to report grievances and called on employers to honour their legal obligations, including the issuance of contracts.

These public declarations were important, but they also highlighted a larger truth: meaningful change depends not just on promises, but on follow-through. Ratifying Convention 189 is an essential step, but it must be matched by implementation, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms that reach every corner of the country where domestic workers are employed.

From May Day to World Day: Sustaining Momentum

As the dust settles on the May Day celebrations, attention now turns toward the World Day for Domestic Workers on 16 June 2025. This global observance provides an opportunity not just to reflect, but to act to build on the momentum sparked in Singida, and to push forward the policy reforms and legal frameworks that will truly protect domestic workers.

Ms Caroline Mugalla handshaking with the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon Samia Suluhu Hassan after delivering her speech on Labour Day 2025 in Singida.

The inclusion of domestic workers in May Day 2025 marked a watershed moment. It validated their contributions and brought national visibility to their struggles and demands. But it must be seen as a foundation, not a final achievement. As stakeholders across government, labour, and civil society move toward the ratification of ILO Convention 189, there is a unique window of opportunity to ensure that domestic workers in Tanzania are finally granted the respect, rights, and protections they have always deserved.

The path ahead is clear. What remains is our collective responsibility to walk it together.