ILO Convention supplemented by a recommendation on domestic workers

14.4.2011

Question for oral answer O-000092/2011
to the Commission
Rule 115
Pervenche Berès
on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Most domestic workers perform duties such as home care, cleaning and catering; they account for between 5% and 9% of all employment. Mostly the work is precarious, undervalued and undeclared. As a result, domestic workers are often discriminated and sometimes subjected to discriminatory, unfair and abusive treatment. A growing number of these workers are (undocumented) migrant workers and may be subject to exploitation.

The adoption of an ILO convention on domestic workers will be an important element to ensure the human, employment and social rights of domestic workers are respected.

1.  What role does the Commission believe it can play in the ILO negotiations regarding the adoption of a convention supplemented by a recommendation on decent work for domestic workers?

2. How will the EU2020 strategy  ensure that precarious domestic jobs are transformed into decent, sustainable jobs?

3. Does the Commission plan to amend current legislation such as  Council Directives 89/391/EEC and 2000/78/EC to ensure the inclusion of domestic workers?

4. Can the Commission indicate how it is supporting Member States in developing and enforcing policies to strengthen the labour rights of domestic workers and inform them about their rights?

5. Is the Commission promoting exchanges of best practice regarding policies aimed at domestic workers?

Tabled: 14.4.2011

Forwarded: 18.4.2011

Deadline for reply: 25.4.2011