Despite critical international conventions and existing national laws, domestic workers in Nigeria continue to suffer abuse and exploitation, ENE OSHABA writes
Domestic work, a sector heavily dominated by women and children, remains one of the most unprotected line of work, globally. With over 75.6 million domestic workers worldwide, 76.2 per cent of whom are women, the lack of recognition, protection, and unionisation remain a pressing concern.
In Nigeria, the plight of domestic workers is particularly dire, marked by abuse, underpayment, and neglect.
Despite Nigeria’s ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189 which is aimed at protecting domestic workers, the situation remains largely unchanged.
Stark reality
The ILO estimates that 152 million children are engaged in child labour worldwide, with domestic work accounting for a significant portion of this figure.
In Nigeria, millions of underage domestic workers face severe abuses, ranging from physical and sexual abuse to psychological dehumanisation.
Despite existing laws such as the Child Rights Act of 2003, enforcement remains weak, and many domestic workers continue to operate in isolation and unregulated environments. This isolation often leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, without the means or knowledge to seek redress.
Activists like Betty Abah, founder of CEE-HOPE, are at the forefront of the fight to secure rights for these workers, advocating for unionisation and stronger protections to change the narrative.
Horrific abuses
Earlier this year, the media was awash with report of an Anambra-based Female Lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, inserted a hot knife into the private part of her 11-year-old maid for allegedly ‘touching’ her child.
On hearing this heinous crime committed against a minor and by a woman, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye, placed a N2 million bounty on the female lawyer, ensuring that she got arrested by officials of the police.
The Special Assistant, Media to the Minister of Women Affairs, Ohaeri Joseph, disclosed in a statement to the media that Mrs. Okafor brought the little girl to live with her in Akpaka, Onitsha, where she resides in January.
The statement further explained that aside the injuries inflicted on the minor with the knife, the lawyer also used hot iron to burn her buttocks and brutalised her with a broken bottle.
“The girl is still undergoing medical treatment in the hospital, but I can assure members of the public that she would get justice,” the statement read in part.
The Anambra state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, also condemned Barr. Okafor’s action, describing her as one of many who do not deserve a place among decent humanity.
According to Soludo, “Mrs. Adachukwu Chukelu-Okafor, who visibly violated the young girl left in her custody, is one out of many who do not deserve a place amongst decent humanity. We have commenced actions to ensure she is brought to justice.
“Child’s Right Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2017) have long been domesticated in Anambra together with other laws, and my administration is big on entrenching Law and Order as a foundation for building the liveable and prosperous homeland that we all seek.”
Similarly, In Isewo Community, Ogun state, another underaged housemaid experienced a terrifying ordeal that left both her body and spirit scarred.
Accused by her mistress of eating biscuits without permission, she was subjected to unimaginable punishment by her supposed guardian.
Reports in the media showed that the woman set fire on her house maid’s private part by inserting burning firewood in the region and buttocks as a measure to punish her.
The girl, while narrating her ordeal in a viral video, was seen writhing in pain as she showed her injured private part.
She explained that her parents reside in Ijoun Town located in Ipokia local government area of the state, and she was brought to stay with the woman who is expected to train her as an artisan by a relative.
“I was beaten and burning firewood was pressed on my body, which include private part, because I ate biscuit, and I confessed that I ate the biscuit.
“It has always been the habit of the woman to maltreat me. My father and mother live in Ijoun, but they are not aware of how I am being maltreated,” the girl lamented.
Reports had it that the Community Development Association (CDA) was trying to cover up the incident, even as another source said the association had reported the case at Obada Police Station.
Blueprint Weekend reports that the incident was reported to the authorities and victim had been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Social Welfare and Women Affairs, Adijat Olaleye, said: “By our findings, the culprit has been arrested by the CDA and handed over to the police. It was said she will be charged to court tomorrow (Friday).
“The girl has also been taken to the hospital for treatment. The name of the CDA is Isewo CDA.”
Invisible workforce
Domestic workers in Nigeria are often treated as invisible, their contributions undervalued and unrecognised. Unlike other professions, domestic work is typically conducted in private homes, away from the public eye, which complicates efforts to monitor conditions and enforce labour laws.
For Abah, without union representation or access to mainstream labour unions like the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), domestic workers are left without a collective voice to fight for their rights and interests.
This has led to the campaign to unionise domestic workers in Nigeria in order to address the systemic issues that have long plagued the sector.
Unionisation would not only provide domestic workers with a platform to advocate for better working conditions but also offer a structure through which they can demand fair wages, safe workplaces, and protections against abuse, the advocates have argued.
Abah and her organisation, CEE-HOPE, with support from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa, are leading this charge, engaging stakeholders across labour unions, human rights groups, and the informal workers’ community.
The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, a global institution deeply invested in the rights of domestic workers, has been instrumental in supporting the campaign in Nigeria.
Their involvement underscores the international dimension of the issue, recognising that the plight of domestic workers was not confined to national borders but is a global challenge requiring concerted efforts.
The Foundation’s support provides both resources and visibility, helping to amplify the voices of domestic workers in Nigeria and beyond.
Digital, creative media to the rescue
A significant aspect of the campaign involves leveraging digital and creative media to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of domestic workers.
Through social media campaigns, online forums, and creative storytelling, advocates aim to bring the struggles of domestic workers to the forefront of public consciousness.
This approach not only educates the public about the issues but also provides a platform for domestic workers to share their stories and experiences, breaking the cycle of invisibility.
Countries like India, the UAE, Kenya, South Africa, and the USA have made strides in the unionisation of domestic workers, providing valuable lessons for Nigeria. In these countries, unionisation has led to better working conditions, formal recognition of domestic work as legitimate employment, and greater protections against exploitation.
By studying these models, Nigerian advocates can adapt successful strategies to the local context, building a robust framework for the rights of domestic workers.
Need for reporting, advocacy
To further drive the campaign, Abah has encouraged journalists to do special reports on domestic workers’ rights, stressing the role and importance in alleviating if not ending in total the menace of abuse the face from the society.
She maintained that in-depth reporting and investigations, bringing more attention to the critical issues facing domestic workers will go a long way in eradicating the crime.
According to her, there is the need for collaboration between NGO’s, stressing that beyond unionisation, connecting with existing campaigns and groups already active will help in the fight for domestic workers’ rights as it cannot be waged in isolation but requires a united front.
International standards
Nigeria’s ratification of ILO Convention 189 was a critical step in acknowledging the rights of domestic workers. However, ratification alone is not enough. There must be a concerted effort to align national laws and practices with international standards, ensuring that domestic workers enjoy the same protections and rights as other workers.
This includes enforcing minimum wage laws, ensuring access to social security, and providing mechanisms for reporting and redress.
Despite the clear benefits, unionising domestic workers in Nigeria faces significant challenges. Cultural perceptions of domestic work, legal barriers, and the dispersed nature of the workforce all complicate efforts to organise.
Many domestic workers also fear retaliation from employers if they speak out or attempt to join a union. Overcoming these challenges will require targeted outreach, education, and legal reforms to protect the rights of domestic workers.
Enforcement
Abah noted that one of the key issues in protecting domestic workers’ rights is enforcement, adding that even when laws exist, they are often poorly enforced, leaving workers without the protections they are entitled to.
She therefore said that strengthening enforcement mechanisms, increasing inspections, and holding employers accountable are critical steps in ensuring that the rights of domestic workers are respected in practice, not just in theory.
“Employers play a crucial role in shaping the working conditions of domestic workers. Creating a culture of respect and recognition within the household can go a long way in improving the lives of domestic workers.
“Employers must be educated on their responsibilities and the rights of domestic workers, including fair treatment, timely payment of wages, and provision of safe working conditions,” she noted.
The issue of child domestic workers presents a double vulnerability, both as children and as workers. These children often face the harshest conditions, working long hours with little to no pay, and are at high risk of abuse. Protecting these children requires a multifaceted approach, including strict enforcement of child labour laws, providing educational opportunities, and offering support services to help them transition out of domestic work.
An anonymous male source argues strongly that women are known to be more caring and loving but he expressed disappointment that the same cannot be said of some Nigerian wives when it comes to how they treat their house helps.
“It is shocking how some women maltreat their house helps and it’s unfortunate that women are the worst perpetrators of domestic violence against house helps and unfortunately they get away with it because we refuse to report them.
“Some madams cut wrappers into pieces and these serve as pads for their housemaids during their monthly flow. They use, wash and dry these napkins for subsequent use. Their under wears are torn and ‘hand me down’ from their madams which may not be their sizes. They have no option but to tie both ends so that the oversized underwear doesn’t fall off their waists.
“Some women take this madness a notch higher using razor blade to cut deep into these girls’ skin. Others rub pepper in their vaginas or anus when these children misbehave or even when they didn’t do anything wrong.
“Some of these helps are also sexually molested by either madam’s grown-up sons, brothers and even husbands. And if madam ever finds out, she blames the house help, beats her up while accusing her of seducing them,” he lamented.
He recalled domestic abuses reported in newspapers where women have emptied pots of boiling water and have also used hot irons on their house helps.
Dignity, rights for all
Abah stressed the need for all to ensure that all domestic workers in Nigeria can work with dignity and enjoy the rights and protections they deserve, adding that beyond unionization, it encompasses a broader societal shift in how domestic work is perceived and valued.
By recognising domestic work as essential and ensuring that those who perform it are treated with respect, Nigeria can set an example for the world.
“It is foolishness to be mean to your house helps, yet leave your children in their care. They have access to your every meal and water. In fact, the entire safety of your family is in their hands. If they decide to be vengeful, it will be brutal because your children and food are not safe,” he warned.
“It is true some house helps will never see you as family no matter how nice you treat them, but don’t stop doing good because it is the best and the wisest thing to do. Love and treat them like your own children. Don’t forget that your children are watching your actions and learning from you,” he added.
Message of hope
Abah, therefore, emphasised the need for continued collaboration and support from all sectors, government, civil society, and the international community, to achieve lasting change.
“In solidarity, we can create a future where domestic workers are no longer invisible, but are seen, heard, and respected as essential members of society,” she said.
