BTN News: The domestic work sector in Colombia continues to grapple with serious challenges, including poor regulation and a lack of formal employment opportunities. Most domestic workers are women aged 30 to 50, often earning below the minimum wage and facing long workdays without access to social security. This critical situation demands urgent reforms, as highlighted in the recent study “Proposals for the Formalization of Domestic Work in Colombia” by the University of Rosario and the Corporation for Social Security Development. The study calls for new policies and regulations to improve conditions for domestic workers, especially in rural areas, by focusing on their rights, access to social security, and labor protections.
Women at the Forefront: The Profile of Domestic Workers in Colombia
Domestic work in Colombia is predominantly a female-driven sector, with about 98% of workers being women, many of whom are heads of households. Most have nearly two decades of experience but continue to face precarious conditions, particularly in rural areas where wages can fall below 50% of the legal minimum. Urban areas, such as Bogotá, MedellÃn, and Cali, see somewhat better conditions, though 70% of domestic workers in Bogotá still lack social security and 40% earn less than the minimum wage.
Critical Challenges in Rural and Urban Areas
Urban Hardships and Long Commutes
In urban centers, such as Bogotá, domestic workers often face long commutes, with average travel times reaching 1.5 hours each way. These daily journeys contribute to stress and significantly reduce the quality of life for workers, who also report facing discrimination and economic barriers that limit their access to formal employment and fair wages.
Extreme Precarity in Rural Regions
The situation is even graver in rural regions, particularly in departments like Antioquia, Santander, and Cundinamarca. Here, 65% of workers earn less than half of the minimum wage, and only 30% have access to social security. The absence of formal contracts and limited labor protection make these workers especially vulnerable to exploitation.
Reforming the Law: Key Recommendations from the Report
Proposed Legal Reforms and Policy Changes
Diana Londoño, the lead researcher of the study, emphasizes the urgency of reforming existing laws, such as Law 278 of 1996. One of the key recommendations is to include domestic workers’ unions in the Commission for Wage and Policy Negotiations, which would empower workers to advocate for better wages and conditions. The study also calls for a more robust system of labor inspections, the promotion of union memberships, and the use of technology to facilitate formal employment contracts and improve access to social security.
Innovative Solutions: Technology and Social Security
Digital Tools for Formalization
To tackle these challenges, the study proposes introducing a digital tool, “DigniHogar,” which will help domestic workers and employers create compliant contracts and break down social security costs. This technological solution aims to streamline the formalization process, making it easier for workers to secure their rights and benefits.
Looking Beyond: Learning from Regional Models
Lessons from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay
Jhon Marulanda, a researcher from the Corporation for Social Security Development, suggests that Colombia could benefit from looking at strategies implemented in other Latin American countries. Nations like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay have significantly improved protections for domestic workers through targeted regulations and inclusive policies.
Urgent Reforms Needed to Protect Vulnerable Workers
Long-Term Impact and Policy Directions
The study makes it clear that without urgent reforms, domestic workers in Colombia will continue to suffer from systemic discrimination and economic vulnerability. Actions like better data collection, establishing employee registers, and aligning domestic workers’ rights with those of other workers are crucial to achieving long-term improvements in their conditions.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Fair Treatment of Domestic Workers
With approximately 800,000 people employed in domestic work in Colombia, it is crucial for policymakers, employers, and civil society to recognize and address the sector’s challenges. Strengthening labor laws, incorporating new technologies, and learning from other countries’ successful models are steps in the right direction. By prioritizing the formalization of domestic work, Colombia can ensure fair treatment and improved livelihoods for these essential yet undervalued workers.
