The indenture of migrant domestic workers

Author: Salazar Perrenas, Rhacel

Abstract: This article provides an overview of the legal status of migrant domestic workers in key destinations that grant employment visas to such workers. While the passage of the International Labour Organization Domestic Workers Convention in 2011 suggests the increasing recognition of paid domestic work as "real work," this article examines the terms of employment and residency for migrant domestic workers and establishes the minimal recognition of their labor. Migrant domestic workers are caught legally "at sea," as they do not have full juridical protection from sending states and are exempt from labor protection in most receiving states, resulting in their relationship of indenture vis-à-vis their employers.

Keywords: migrant domestic workers, legal status, visas, International Labour Organization Domestic Workers Convention