Migrant Domestic Workers Across the World: Global and Regional Estimates Based on the ILO Report on “Global Estimates on Migrant Workers”, 2015

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GLOBAL ACTION PROGRAMME ON MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES RESEARCH SERIES Migrant Domestic Workers Across the World: global and regional estimates Based on the ILO report on “Global estimates on migrant workers”, 2015. By Maria Gallotti, ILO Labour Migration Branch

Summary

The ILO report on Global Estimates on Migrant Workers, 2015 unveils the statistical importance of domestic work as a source of employment for millions of migrant workers worldwide and provides regional and global estimates of the share of domestic workers (DWs) among migrants and the share of migrants among domestic workers.1

The report shows that there are 11.5 million migrant domestic workers in the world. This represents 17.2 per cent of a total estimate of 67.1 million domestic workers globally. This number indicates that the growing needs for personal and household services in many parts of the world are filled by migrant workers. Within this data lie significant regional differences (see Fig.3. page 2).

Domestic work is a much higher source of employment for migrants than it is for non-migrant workers

When analyzed asFigure a 2shareFigureMigrant 2of domesticmigrantMigrant domestic workers workers, asworkers a share as Disaggregatedof a allshare domestic of all domestic workers by sex,workers this share is even higher, migrant domestic Non-migrant domestic workers (55.6 millions)workersNon-migrant domestic workers (55.6 millions) (MDWs)82.8 represent82.8 7.7 per representing 12.7 per cent, or 8.45 million, of the cent of a global estimateMigrant domestic workers (11.5 millions)Migrant domestic workers (11.5 millions) of 150.317.2 million17.2 migrant 66.6 million female migrant workers worldwide. workers.

FigureFigure 1 1MigrantMigrant domestic domestic workers workers as a asshare a share of all of migrant all migrant workers workers Figure 1. Migrant domestic workers Figure 2. Migrant domestic workers Migrant workers not in domestic work (138.8 millions)Migrant workers not in domestic work (138.8 millions)92.392.3 as a share of all migrant workers as a share of all domestic workers Migrant domestic workers (11.5 millions)Migrant domestic workers (11.5 millions)7.7 7.7

7.7%7.7% 17.2% 17.2%

92.3%92.3% 82.8% 82.8%

MigrantMigrant workers workers not notin domestic in domestic work work (138.8 (138.8 millions) millions) Non-migrantNon-migrant domestic domestic workers workers(55.6 millions) (55.6 millions) MigrantMigrant domestic domestic workers workers (11.5 (11.5 millions) millions) Migrant domesticMigrant domestic workers workers(11.5 millions) (11.5 millions) MDWs are concentrated for approximately one-fifth of the total number of in high income countries migrant workers, confirming thetendency for a concentration of foreign labour in this often unprotected The largest number of migrant domestic workers and informal sector of the economy. (almost 80 per cent of the total) are found in high income countries, where they also represent the largest share of all domestic workers (almost 66 per Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) cent). are predominantly women (with an important presence of migrant men Together, the Arab states, North America and north- in some parts of the world) ern, southern and Western Europe account for about 52 per cent of the 11.5 million domestic workers Domestic work in general is a highly female domi- worldwide. This is not a surprise as these regions, nated sector with women representing more than 81 which typically include high income countries, are per cent of national domestic workers and 73 per major destination countries for migrant workers in cent of all migrant domestic workers. general, accounting for more than 90 million of the 150 million migrant workers globally. This variation seems to indicate that domestic work represents an entry point into destination It is noteworthy that these regions, with some varia- countries’ labour markets for migrant men as well, tions in the Arab States, are also experiencing rapid particularly where migration policies foresee regu- demographic aging of societies, with clear impli- lar migration channels in the sector. ILO research cations in terms of caring needs. In fact, the link in Italy 2 for example showed that when migration between aging of societies, the (gendered) transfor- quotas allowed entry and residence permits for the mation of labour markers and family structures, and purpose of domestic work, this became attractive migration for the purpose of personal and household to a significant number of migrant men. However, services, is well documented. labour mobility outside the sector appears to be much quicker for men, reinforcing previously identi- Figure 3 Distribution of migrant domestic workers, by broad subregion, 2013 fied gender patterns in labour migration and labour Arab States 3162.8763 market integration. Central and Western AsiaFigure255.77258 3. Distribution of migrant domestic Eastern Asia 1098.5908 Eastern Europeworkers,81.667368 by broad subregion Latin America and the Caribbean748.58007 Figure 4 Global distribution of migrant domestic workers, by sex Northern Africa69.580725 Northern America639.56973 3.8% Northern, Southern and Western Europe2213.012 Male 3 070 5.0% Figure 4. Global distribution of migrant South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific2236.9928 Female 8 455 Southern Asia 438.26012 27.4% domestic workers, by sex Sub-Saharan Africa579.43681 19.4%

26.6% 9.5% 19.2% 2.2% Male 6.5% 73.4% 5.5% Female

0.7%

0.6%

Arab States Central and Western Asia FigureFigure 5 5 GlobalGlobal distribution distribution of of non-migrant non-migrant domestic domestic workers, workers, by by sex, sex, 2013 2013 Eastern Asia Eastern Europe Latin America and the Caribbean Northern Africa MaleMaleFigure10 31610 316 5. Global distribution of non-migrant Northern America Northern, Southern and Western Europe FemaleFemale 45 29845 298 South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific Southern Asia domestic workers, by sex Sub-Saharan Africa

18.5%18.5% Data show that in some regions of the world migrant domestic workers represent a significant share of MaleMale 81.5%81.5% all migrants. In East Asia, South-East Asia and the FemaleFemale Pacific, the Arab States and Latin America and the Caribbean, migrant domestic workers account

2 per centper of all migrant women). of all migrant men are in domestic work versus 2.8 higher proportion overall than women (6.7 cent per sented in Southern Asia aswell where they claim a Male migrant domestic workers are heavily repre sector. presence of migrant men, in the domestic work women (above cent) per 60 and arelatively high This explains the high very concentration of migrant guarding gardening). and different of tasks (cleaning, types cooking, driving, to hire several domestic employees to undertake ditions. It is not uncommon for single households of the national population and to socio-cultural tra driven by the increasing wealth and living standards of national women. In the Arab States the demand is societies) and increased labour market participation needs due to demographic factors (such asaging of Arab States is only partially linked to growing care world, the high demand for domestic workers in the Studies show that unlike many other regions of the guard. security and typically dominated by men, such asgardener, driver work includes awide range of professional profiles tant to understand that the definition of domestic explain these regional differences. It is also impor There are anumber of socio-economic factors that globally. workers domestic migrant male all of cent per 50 than more for account States Arab The centper of the total. migrant domestic workers with values that exceed 5 Africa have a similarly significant proportion of male tic worker. Only Southern Asia and sub-Saharan other regions; approximately one in ten is adomes are in domestic work is significantly higher than in the Arab States the proportion of male migrants who disaggregated by broad sub-region. For example in ents interesting some differences when data are This overall dominance of women in the sector pres States workers aredomestic in the Arab half all of male migrant About Northern Africa Male Figures 6 & 7 Southern Asia South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific Eastern Asia Arab States Central and Western Asia Eastern Europe Northern, Southern and Western Europe Northern America Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa Female Southern Asia South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific Eastern Asia Arab States Central and Western Asia Eastern Europe Northern, Southern and Western Europe Northern America Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Figures 6 & 7 Southern Asia South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific Eastern Asia Arab States Central and Western Asia Eastern Europe Northern, Southern and Western Europe Northern America Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa Female Southern Asia South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific Eastern Asia Arab States Central and Western Asia Eastern Europe Northern, Southern and Western Europe Northern America Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa Male Migrant domestic workers as a share of all migrant workers (MD/MW), by sex and broad subregion Migrant domestic workers as a share of all migrant workers (MD/MW), by sex and broad subregion - - - - - 35.3 23.0 10.4 39.2 33.9 60.8 10.6 35.3 23.0 10.4 39.2 33.9 60.8 10.6 3.3 9.4 6.7 3.2 4.5 2.5 0.3 1.9 0.3 2.6 5.8 3.5 2.8 4.5 0.8 9.4 6.7 3.2 4.5 2.5 0.3 1.9 0.3 2.6 5.8 3.5 2.8 4.5 0.8 3.3 market along nationality lines is ade facto reality. tively). In segregation these cases of the labour (71 and 55 cent per of all domestic workers respec America and northern, southern and Western Europe in the Arab States (83 cent), per but also in North overwhelming majority of domestic workers not only in of the parts some world. Migrants represent the the prevalence of migrants is particularly striking When analysed asashare of all domestic workers, are migrants workers domestic In most regions, some Female Male

(%) (%) (%) subregion broad and sex by workers, migrant all of 7. 6and Figures 50.0 60.0 70.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 (%) 10.0 12.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 10.0 12.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 23.0 23.0 3.5 3.5 9.4 5.8 9.4 5.8 35.3 35.3 2.6 2.6 Migrant domestic workers as a share domestic Migrant 3.3 0.3 3.3 0.3 10.6 10.6 1.9 1.9 0.8 0.3 0.8 0.3 4.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 60.8 10.4 60.8 10.4 33.9 33.9 4.5 4.5 39.2 39.2 3.2 - 3.2 2.8 6.7 2.8 6.7

3 MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ACROSS THE WORLD: GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ESTIMATES Figure 8 Migrant domestic workers as a share of all domestic workers, by broad subregion

Northern Africa 7.9 Sub-Saharan Africa 6.9 Latin America and the Caribbean 4.2 Northern America 70.8 Northern, Southern and Western Europe 54.6 Eastern Europe 25.0 Central and Western Asia 32.1 Arab States 82.7 Eastern Asia 7.5 Regional results in focus South-Eastern Asia and the PacificFigure 8. Migrant domestic24.7 workers as a share Southern Asia of all domestic workers, by6.9 broad subregion Domestic work as entry point to 90.0 destination country labour markets 80.0 in Latin America and the Caribbean 70.0 60.0 Domestic work is a significant source of employ- 50.0 40.0 82.7 ment in Latin America, accounting for almost 18 (%) 70.8 million individuals, or 6 per cent of all workers. Of 30.0 54.6 20.0 these, 88 per cent are women. Migrants represent 32.1 25.0 24.7 17.2 per cent of all domestic workers in the region, 10.0 7.9 6.9 4.2 7.5 6.9 0.0 which suggests that this is an important entry point to destination countries’ labour markets, especially for women, who represent 92 per cent of all migrant domestic workers. Separate research suggests that an important share of migration for the purpose of domestic work takes place between neighbouring countries with different levels of income (for example, from Bolivia and Paraguay to Argentina, and from Nicaragua and El Salvador to Costa Rica).

Figure 9 Latin America - Migrant domestic workers as a share of all migrant workers

Migrant workers 82.8 Migrant domestic workers17.2 Figure 9. Latin America - Migrant domestic workers as a share of all migrant workers

17.2%

82.8%

Migrant workers Migrant domestic workers

4 Non-migrant domestic workers Migrant domestic workers Figure 10 Arab States-Migrantdomesticworkersasashareofall countries in the region. of domestic work from labour law coverage in most to this of work type and the consequent exclusion variety of factors including the low value attributed workers. This labour market segregation is due to a 6 in 10 women are employed asmigrant domestic domestic work in this region. One in ten men and showing adirect link between female migration and percentageest amongst all the broad subregions, cent) of domestic workers overall. This is the high (mostly women) represent the majority vast (82 per sub-region in the workers migrant Domestic workers constitute 18 per cent of all of migrants in the sector is particularly high. cent of the whole workforce, and the concentration employment in the Arab states, constituting 7.7 per population. Domestic work is asignificantsector of region and 1.7 cent per of the global migrant worker representing 35.6 cent per of all workers in the Nevertheless, it 17.6 hosts million migrant workers, accounting for 1.5 cent per of the global labour force. The states in the Arab are intimatelywork linked domestic and Migration Labour workers as a share of all domestic workers domestic all of ashare as workers domestic -Migrant States 10. Arab Figure 17.3 82.7 Arab States Migrant domesticworkers 17.3% is the smallest broad subregion, Non-migrant domesticworkers 82.7% . While migrants

- North America.North migrants in the sector after the Arab States and workers, the region has the highest percentage of million domestic workers in the region being migrant especially for women. With more than 2of the 4 resents a significantsector of migrant employment the presence of migrants in This these services. rep in northern, southern and Western Europe services has increased over the last three decades inAs America, North demand for domestic and care nationals. for into an occupation that is becoming attractive less tributing to the growing insertion of migrant women public welfare spending, are reported asfactors con family structure changes, as well asthe reduction of women into the labour market, demographic and At the same time, the progressive entry of national availability, of public care services. of living and the rather widespread, though shrinking hiring domestic workers ascompared to the standard nomic factors, including the relatively high of costs sector may attributable be to different socioeco The factors behind the relatively small size of the total workforce. tively low, accounting for only 0.5 cent per of the the domestic work share of total employment is rela cent). However in comparison to the Arab States, majority of domestic workers are migrants (70.8 per In In mostly have amigrant’s face workers Europe domestic Western and southern northern America, In North North America North asin the Arab States the vast , ashas - - - -

5 MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ACROSS THE WORLD: GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ESTIMATES Figures 6 & 7 Migrant domestic workers as a share of all migrant workers (MD/MW), by sex and broad subregion

Male Northern Africa 3.5 Sub-Saharan Africa 5.8 Latin America and the Caribbean2.6 12.0 Northern America 0.3 10.0 Northern, Southern and Western Europe1.9 Eastern Europe 0.3 8.0 Central and Western Asia2.5

(%) 6.0 Arab States 10.4 10.4 Eastern Asia 4.5 4.0 5.8 6.7 South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific3.2 4.5 2.0 3.5 3.2 Southern Asia 6.7 2.6 0.3 1.9 0.3 2.5 0.0

Figure 11. Northern, Southern and Western Europe - In South-East Asia and the Pacific and Migrant domestic workers as a proportion of all in southern Asia domestic workers are migrant workers mostly nationals Female Northern Africa 23.0 With 9.1 million domestic workers, South-East Asia 70.0 Sub-Saharan Africa 9.4 and the Pacific hosts a significant share (almost 14 Latin America and the Caribbean35.3 60.0 Northern America 3.3 per cent) of the global number of workers employed 50.0 Northern, Southern and Western Europe10.6 in this sector. Eastern Europe 0.8 40.0 Central and Western Asia4.5 30.0 60.8 As in other parts of the world the sector is female- Arab States 60.8(%) 20.0 39.2 Eastern Asia 33.9 35.3 33.9 dominated (about 83 per cent of all workers in the 10.0 23.0 South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific39.2 9.4 3.3 10.6 0.8 4.5 2.8 sector). Southern Asia 2.8 0.0 Nevertheless, the domestic work sector employs less than 3 per cent of all the workers in the region. In southern Asia, only 1 per cent of the workforce is employed in domestic work, and among them, less than 7 per cent are migrants 3. At the same time it is worth noting that this region host some of the major sending countries of domestic workers, mostly women, seeking employment beyond their national borders.

Available data show that the share of women labour migrants from countries in the southern Asia and South-East Asia and the Pacific regions, has increased in recent years and that this is often linked to an increased demand for domestic workers in the Middle East, Europe and the newly industrialized countries in Asia. In all the subregions mentioned, women migrants are significantly more likely to per- form domestic work in comparison to men, however the variance is different from region to region.

6 regional figures presented in the report. reflected in an underestimation of the global and to undocumented be in many countries. This is takes place inside private homes, it is more likely Given that the activity of migrant domestic workers work. whoers are not resident in the country in which they They exclude, however, cross-border domestic work household asan employee own-account or worker. well asthose who may engaged be in more than one domestic workers who are currently unemployed, as workers in households. They also include migrant who are engaged in their main job asdomestic Migrant domestic workers domestic Migrant 97). Division Rev4, Economic Activities, Revision 4, Division 97 (ISIC International Standard Industrial Classification of All their branch of economic activity according to the domestic workers are identified on the basis of For the statistical purpose of these estimates, (c) (b) (a) workers: tic 2011 (No. 189) Article 1of the Convention, Workers ILO Domestic workers Domestic Migrant domestic workers are international migrants tional basis is not adomestic worker. sionally sporadically or and not on an occupa whoa person performs domestic work only occa relationship; engaged in domestic work within an employment the term “domestic worker” means any person in for or ahousehold households; or the term “domestic work” means work performed , defines domestic work and domes 4 - - - -

workers. Results and methodology. Special focus on migrant of definitionsrefer to: ILO please global estimates on migrant contributing family worker. detailed For more descriptions or inworker status employment is own-account employer or whose well as unemployed migrant workers as migrant workers thus “migrant term The usual includes worker” residence. employment seeking employed in or of current their country all international comprises mates currently are who migrants 4 of the ILO Global Estimates on Migrant Workers, 2015Report. 3 for Migrant Domestic workers in Italy 2 is 2013.estimates all for year reference The http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour- 1 ILO Notes End The definition of “migrant worker” used in the present esti definitionThe present in of used the “migrantworker” 2.8, p.16 the on of tables basis elaborated Data and 2.9 p.18 Salis Promoting and Premazzi: Castagnone, See Integration Global Estimates on Migrant Workers, 2015 - Report , ILO 2013. -

7 MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ACROSS THE WORLD: GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ESTIMATES Project partners The project is implemented by the ILO in collaboration with the following partners and associates:

www.unwomen.org www.ohchr.org www.ksbsi.org www.ituc.org www.idwf.org

Labour Migration Branch (MIGRANT) Conditions of Work and Equality Department International Labour Office Route des Morillons 4 Tel: +41 22 799 6667 1211 Geneva 22 www.ilo.org/migrant This project is funded by Switzerland Email: [email protected] The European Union

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