Vulnerability of Female Domestic Workers in the Work Environment: Employer-Employee Dynamics, and Related Factors in Hossana Town
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Date
2025-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Domestic work has a long history in Ethiopia, with domestic workers making essential
contributions to households and society. However, their roles are often undervalued due to
factors such as socioeconomic background, gender stereotypes, low income, and limited
education. The private, home-based nature of domestic work further heightens workers'
vulnerability to exploitation and mistreatment. Despite its importance, research on domestic
workers in Ethiopia has primarily focused on youth migration abroad, while the conditions of
domestic workers within the country have received less attention. The central concern of this
dissertation is to explore the factors contributing to the vulnerability of female domestic workers
in Hossana town. These factors include demographic influences, brokers' involvement, parental
roles, sociocultural dynamics, employer-employee interpersonal interactions, and institutional
and policy-related issues. The study employs pragmatism as a philosophical framework,
advocating for a mix of ontological and epistemological approaches to address existing research
gaps. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods, the study uses a mixed-methods design to
yield convergent findings. A concurrent approach was employed to collect data in a single phase,
and convenience sampling was used due to the difficulty of accessing domestic workers. The
study involved 130 female domestic workers surveyed using a structured questionnaire at
licensed brokers' offices, schools, and water points. Additionally, 28 respondents, including
government officials, brokers, employers, and parents, participated in interviews. The findings
reveal significant exploitation and power imbalances faced by female domestic workers in
Ethiopia. Extended work hours, limited leave, and restricted rest days reflect the unequal power
dynamics between employers and employees, diminishing workers' autonomy and increasing
their vulnerability. At the institutional level, the absence of national policies and regulations
governing domestic work and a lack of standardized contracts contribute to a "decent work
deficit." This leads to excessive workloads, inadequate compensation, arbitrary salary
deductions, wage withholding, and financial instability for workers. Licensed brokers, along
with their assistants, are frequently implicated in exploiting domestic workers, with cases of
sexual harassment and coercion, sometimes involving demands for sex work. Parents play an
active role in securing domestic employment for their daughters, negotiating wages, and
influencing job conditions. However, their involvement often reflects a deeper power imbalance,
further limiting the autonomy of domestic workers. Economic dependence on domestic work
exacerbates the situation, as workers endure abuse and mistreatment due to their reliance on the
benefits of employment. The community's dehumanizing perceptions of domestic workers,
including labeling them as thieves, reinforce mistreatment and erode empathy. These
stigmatizing attitudes contribute to a broader culture of hostility and alienation, fostering
resentment among domestic workers. Employer-employee relationships are typically
characterized by authority and servility, with poor communication, power imbalances, and
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frequent mistreatment. Conflicts often arise from workers' perceived insubordination or failure
to comply with employers' demands, while workers cite degrading treatment and abuse as the
primary sources of tension. To address these challenges, the study advocates for developing
comprehensive policy and legal frameworks to protect domestic workers. This includes enacting
regulations to standardize domestic employment contracts, ensuring fair wages, and ratifying
ILO Convention No. 189. Additionally, training programs on workers' rights should be
implemented for employers, employees, and brokers in collaboration with relevant government
agencies and social organizations. The study calls for government and stakeholder intervention
to promote domestic workers' rights, raise public awareness, and provide vocational training for
both domestic workers and the broader community.
Key Words: Female Domestic workers, Vulnerability, Government Institutions, Licensed and
Unlicensed brokers, contractual agreements, employers
Description
Keywords
Female Domestic workers, Vulnerability, Government Institutions, Licensed and Unlicensed brokers, contractual agreements, employers