Women domestic workers in Egypy : a critical analysis on the rights of women domestic workers in Egypt

Abstract

“Domestic work is one of the oldest and most important occupations for many women in many countries.” It is a deeply-rooted problem in all across the globe and it is present in our society from antiquity. This thesis begins with the brief overview of the Egyptian society and talks about the plight of women domestic workers In Egypt and their available national legal remedies in compliance with the international labor standards for women domestic workers in Egypt. Thesis has highlighted the lack of protections provided to domestic workers all across the globe. This thesis has shown that in absence of legal protections, domestic workers have become quite vulnerable in comparison to other workers. More than 52 million persons are domestic workers worldwide and only 10 % of them have been given the rights at par with other workers. Some of them have been completely left out from the legal remedy and it has exposed them for the exploitation from their employers and the recruiters of domestic workers. The exploitation of domestic workers can be termed as the violation of human rights where human dignity, liberty and the right of equality are grossly compromised. This situation defeats the dream of the UN for larger freedom and it can partly attributed to the gaps and discriminatory legislations in national labor laws. Some states have successfully incorporated the legal protections for women domestic workers in their national legislation such as South Africa and Jordon. Their legal remedy given to women domestic workers is welcome step for the promising and better lives of workers. The best practices of other countries can be replicate in Egypt, too, and there should be focus in strengthening the law enforcement tools of the countries so after adopting of law for women domestic workers, that can be executed too.