Prof. Simon Black of the Department of Labour Studies at Brock University has recently co-authored, with Dr Lauren Marsh of UWI Global Campus an article that explores the role of domestic workers’ organizations in labour standards enforcment.
The abstract notes that drawing on qualitative data, the authors examine the case of the Jamaica Household Workers’ Union in the wake of Jamaica’s ratification of the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). Findings indicate that the Union participates directly and indirectly in enforcement. While not a substitute for state-led enforcement, the case study illustrates the potential of a worker-centred, participatory approach to enforcement in the domestic work sector and suggests that worker voice and collective representation through organizing is key to fulfilling the promise of the Convention.
The authors thank the Jamaica Household Workers’ Union and Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour for their cooperation with this research.
Download the full article here.