Domestic Work Predominantly Performed by Women: INEGI

In observance of International Domestic Workers' Day, national and international organizations shine a light on the struggles these workers face, highlighting that safeguarding the rights of domestic workers is crucial for advancing gender equality. 

The day, observed each year on July 22, was established in 1983 to honor the significant economic and social contributions of domestic work, as reported by INEGI. This day serves as a platform to acknowledge the vital role that both paid and unpaid domestic tasks play in the well-being of households around the world.

Domestic work encompasses a range of essential tasks performed within households, which are critical for maintaining the health and harmony of family life, according to INMUJERES. Whether compensated or not, these activities support the daily functioning of homes and the lives of their members.

A substantial portion of domestic work is carried out by women, often without any financial reward. In Mexico, this labor is predominantly female, with 95% of domestic workers being women, as reported by INEGI. This institution also estimates that domestic work represents 23% of the country’s GDP and women are responsible for 17% of this contribution, according to IMCO.

Despite their crucial role, these women frequently face significant challenges, including a lack of fair compensation and inadequate working conditions.

Statistics reveal that women in Mexico spend an average of 24.5 more hours per week than men on unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities, according to Mexico’s Government. This disparity extends to paid domestic work as well, where workers encounter issues such as insufficient labor rights and poor working conditions. 

Over recent decades, there has been a steady increase in women’s participation in the country’s economic activities. However, this progress has not been matched by a corresponding rise in men’s involvement in domestic tasks, highlighting an ongoing imbalance, as reported by Movimiento Ciudadano.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) emphasizes that safeguarding the rights of domestic workers is crucial not only for their own well-being but also for advancing gender equality. In many countries facing labor shortages, increasing female workforce participation relies on the availability of high-quality care services. Therefore, it is essential that care jobs, including domestic work, provide sufficient quality and favorable conditions to attract and retain workers, as reported by MBN.

In Mexico, paid domestic workers residing in the households where they work are entitled to certain rights. These include nine hours of uninterrupted rest each night, a daily three-hour break between morning and afternoon shifts, a weekly rest period of one and a half days, a clean and comfortable living environment, adequate and nutritious food, an annual bonus equivalent to 15 days' salary or its proportional share, respectful and considerate treatment, and recognition of their physical, ethnic, religious, economic, and sexual preferences, according to Mexico City’s government. 

International Domestic Workers' Day serves as a reminder of the essential role domestic work plays in society and the need to ensure fair treatment and recognition for those who perform it.