Domestic workers face systematic exploitation and abuse at the workplace. The historical adoption of ILO Convention 189 on domestic work on 16 June 2011, (accompanied by the adopted Recommendation 201), has brought respect and recognition for the 50 to 100 million domestic workers around the world. The majority are women, and many are migrants and children.

Since the ITUC launched the ‘12 by 12’ campaign in partnership with IDWN/IUF and others, more than 10 million domestic workers have seen their rights improved either through ratification of C189, labour law reforms or collective bargaining agreements. And more than 20,000 domestic workers have joined a union.