PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF FEMALE DOMESTIC WORKERS: THE CASE OF BISHOFTU TOWN . MA THESIS BY HIWOT HAILU ADVISOR: Dr. ABERA UNCHA Co-ADVISOR: ATO GETU LEMA August, 2018 ARBAMINCH, ETHIOPIA PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF FEMALE DOMESTIC WORKERS: THE CASE OF BISHOFTU TOWN. HIWOT HAILU W/GIORGIS A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ART IN GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES August, 2018 ARBA MINCH School of Graduates Studies Arba Minch University Advisors’ Thesis Submission Approval Sheet This is to certify that the thesis entitled ―Problems and Prospects of Female Domestic Workers: The Case of Bishoftu town, Oromia, Ethiopia‖ submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Art in Geography and Environmental Studies has been carried out by Hiwot Hailu W/Giorgis under my supervision .Therefore, I recommended that the studies has fulfilled the requirement and have hereby can submit the thesis to the department for defense. Abera Uncha (PhD) ____________ ____________ Principal Advisor Signature Date Mr. Getu Lemma _____________ __________ Co-Advisor Signature Date DECLARATION This is to certify that the Thesis entitled ―The problems and prospects of female domestic household workers, the case of Bishoftu town‖ is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university, and that all sources of material used for the thesis have been duly acknowledged. Name: HIWOT HAILU W/GIORGIS Signature: ________________ Date: ____________________ ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES EXAMINERS’ THESIS APPROVAL SHEET We, the undersigned, members of the Board of Examiners of the final open defense by Hiwot Hailu W/Giorgis have read and evaluated his/her thesis entitled ―Problems and Prospects of Female Domestic workers: The case of Bishoftu town” and examined the candidate‘s oral presentation. This is, therefore, to certify that the thesis has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Art in Geography and Environmental Study. ________________ ___________ Name of the Chairperson Signature Date _______________. ___________ Name of Internal examiner Signature Date _______________. ___________ Name of External examiner Signature Date _______________. ___________ SGS Approval Signature Date ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Above all, my deepest thanks go to Almighty God for always he is with me in all my day to day undertakings and giving me strength to complete my study. This research paper would not have been possible without the guidance and support of several individuals who in one way or another contributed and extended their valuable assistance in the preparation and completion of this paper. I am very glad to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my principal adviser Dr. Abera Uncha and my co-Advisor Ato Getu Lema for their invaluable, constructive and enduring comments, criticism and professional advice from the inception to the completion of this thesis. A heartfelt appreciation for Arba Minch University for offering me postgraduate study grant and financial assistance. I would also thank the enumerators and my informants (Female Domestic workers in Bishoftu town, brokers, officials in Bishoftu town municipality Labor and Social Affairs Office and Kebele 05 sub city 01 Police Station) without their cooperation this study would not have been possible. Besides, I also owed special debt to my friends and relatives who have been beside me throughout my work by providing me with both material and moral support. specifically, I would like to deeply thank my husband; Ato Tamiru Gemeda, my daughters Helen Tamiru and Tsion Tamiru my sons Eyosias Tamiru and Nahom Tamiru, Meti Keressa whom I brought up and is like my own daughter that took care of all the burden and responsibility of the household chores, my son in-law Bruhtesfa Yimer, my neighbors Asefa Funga and Asnaku Funga and their families and all my friends and others whose names are not listed here for their constructive suggestions, comments and professional criticisms on my work. i Table of Content ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................ i Table of Content ........................................................................................................................ ii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................ viii ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................ 1 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study .................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................. 3 1.3. Objectives of the Research .............................................................................................. 5 1.3.1. General Objective ..................................................................................................... 5 1.3.2. Specific Objectives ................................................................................................... 5 1.4. Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Significance of the Research ............................................................................................ 5 1.6. Scope of the Study .......................................................................................................... 6 1.7. Limitation of the Study ................................................................................................... 6 1.8. Operational Definition..................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 8 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITRATURE ..................................................................................... 8 2. 1. History and Scope of Domestic Work and Domestic Workers ........................................ 8 Who is domestic worker? ....................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Domestic Workers in Ethiopia – A profile ...................................................................... 10 2.3 Vulnerability of Domestic Workers ................................................................................ 13 ii 2.4 Common Human Right Violation against Domestic Workers ......................................... 14 2.5 Challenges Faced by Female Household Workers in Ethiopia ........................................ 15 2.6 Legal Instruments Relevant to Domestic work ............................................................... 17 2.6.1 International Conventions ........................................................................................ 17 2.6.2 Legal Protection of Domestic Workers in the ILO Convention ................................ 19 2.6.2 Formation and Termination of Contract ................................................................... 19 2.6.3 Working Hours and Time off ................................................................................... 20 2.6.4 Remuneration .......................................................................................................... 20 2.6.5 Freedom of Movement............................................................................................. 20 2.6.6 Working Condition .................................................................................................. 21 2.7 National Laws ................................................................................................................ 21 2.8 The present Condition of Female Domestic Workers in Ethiopia .................................... 23 2.8 Domestic Workers' Convention ...................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................. 27 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES ........................................................................................ 27 3.1. Description of the Study Area. ...................................................................................... 27 3.1.1. Location ................................................................................................................. 27 3.1.2. Historical Background of Bishoftu Town ................................................................ 28 3.1.3. Topography and Climate........................................................................................