On Wednesday, April 25, Uruguay became the first Latin American country to ratify ILO Convention 189 concerning decent work for domestic workers. Sirel spoke with Graciela Espinosa, of the Sole Union of Domestic Workers  (SUTD), who commented on the scope of the convention ratified and its importance for the sector.

In only a few years, many favorable changes have occurred in the situation of domestic workers in Uruguay. These changes began in 2006-2007 with the approval of Law No. 18,065, which regulates domestic work in the country, followed in 2008 by the incorporation of domestic workers into the Wage Councils.

For the first time in history, this sector was able to collectively negotiate working conditions, succeeding in signing their first collective bargaining agreement on August 19 of that year. That day has since been declared a full paid holiday for all domestic workers in Uruguay.

On April 25, Parliament ratified ILO Convention 189 concerning decent work for domestic workers, adopted at the 100^th Session of the ILO. This instrument establishes, for the first time in history, international labor standards aimed at improving the working conditions of millions of domestic workers worldwide.

Among the new rights recognized under Convention 189 are the establishment of normal work hours, a mandatory weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit on the proportion of remuneration paid in kind, and the obligation of employers to clearly inform workers of the terms and conditions of their employment. It also calls for ratifying countries to respect, promote, and realize the fundamental principles and rights at work in this sector, including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Graciela Espinosa, member of SUTD, who participated in representation of Uruguay in the 100^th Session of the ILO in 2011, told SIREL that the ratification process went very smoothly and was approved unanimously.

Consulted on the role of the union during this instance, the union leader said: “We have been there every step of the way, from the moment the proposal for ratification was entered into Parliament in December 2011, monitoring the process right up to the plenary discussion and subsequent approval, during which we were present in the session hall.”

With respect to the progress in the sector, Espinosa said that all the gains obtained for the sector had been achieved after the Frente Amplio coalition came into power, as it enabled positive changes in terms of legislation and labor guarantees.

“While the possibility of regulating domestic work had been discussed since 1985, it was not until the first Frente Amplio administration, in 2006-2007, that it was made into law (Law No. 18,065),” she said.

For the union leader, the ratification of Convention 189 gives domestic workers international guarantees in the event that, for any reason, the Law is amended in a way that harms workers.

“We need to continue working to have this Convention ratified in every country of the Americas and for national governments to adhere to international labor laws.

More than 180 countries participated in the 100^th Session of the ILO and supported the adoption of this Convention. Now we have to mobilize to make it known and implement it,” the leader concluded.