Article: Domestic workers demonstrate

A handful of domestic workers demonstrated outside the Department of Labour on Saturday calling for better working conditions, the SABC reported.

Demonstrators were carrying placards which read: "Stop sexual harassment and rape of domestic workers," and "domestic workers are workers too".
 
One class of workers in need of a union. If nothing else to educate them on their rights in the domestic work place. I've seen far too many taken advantage of.
 
I wonder when the cANCer is going to do a name change for the country - might I suggest Strike Africa.
 
OrbitalDawn said:
Yep. Wonder why they don't have one? :confused:
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Organising into a collective could prove to be expensive for them. Its not like they can afford the union fees at the money they earn, even at minimum wage. And we all know, most don't even get that minimum wage to begin with.
 
They can unionise all they want - even for free. But in terms of the labour law a home owner doesn't have to recognise the union. And basically that means if they go on strike they'll be out of a job.

If they have an issue with sexual harassment and/or rape, the is enough law in place for them to report it as a criminal matter at the police station.

My maid is already the head of domestic chores so coming on to her for favours so she can get that big promotion isn't going to work.
 
What can the department do about criminal matters though?
 
If they keep pushing, households will keep firing.

At the point where it is just easier to do the household work yourself, you are going to find a lot of unemployed maids.
 
My domestic worker has been mugged like three times at the taxi rank :( they also broke her door down and asked for money and well she was beaten during that. I am happy that her daughter is in uni :)
 
sexual harassment and rape????????? who does that to a domestic worker? i'm shocked.
 
Albereth said:
Nothing. Who cares. That's why there are police stations. You don't report rape to the Department of Labour.
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Unless you wait for +-9 months.

I feel for the raped and harassed but they have their government protecting them through SAPS. Anyone who raped, harasses or beats a woman needs to be sorted with the harshest treatment/fine/sentence.
 
I feel for the raped and harassed but they have their government protecting them through SAPS. Anyone who raped, harasses or beats a woman needs to be sorted with the harshest treatment/fine/sentence
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Not just women, men too. Physical assault of any nature should be prosecuted, also when women perpetrate it.. Just the other day I ran into an ex-domestic who was beaten black and blue by her FEMALE boss and threatened with murder if she went to the cops. Men also get assaulted and raped. We have equality of sexes in SA.
 
Celine said:
sexual harassment and rape????????? who does that to a domestic worker? i'm shocked.
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Its always been one the biggest complaints they have had, nothing new. Its the same as bosses who also make sexual moves on their secretaries.

You get a lot of sick people out there
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Its always been one the biggest complaints they have had, nothing new. Its the same as bosses who also make sexual moves on their secretaries.

You get a lot of sick people out there
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I don't know if they're strictly speaking sick, but more likely just have that sadistic attitude. How many times have we not seen "I'd hit that" as a commentary next to a photo of a woman on a geek website. Same attitude.
 
Heard them on the news - we demand....sick leave, maternity leave, annual leave, pension, houses, medical aid...

If they get that then I'm changing jobs.
 
daveza said:
Heard them on the news - we demand....sick leave, maternity leave, annual leave, pension, houses, medical aid...

If they get that then I'm changing jobs.
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One can't fault people for being short sighted in their thinking. They all have priorities: People to look after, food to buy, a home to build or maintain. Children to raise. Sick or elderly parents to look after as well as unemployed relatives. Of course where the money for that is supposed to come from is not really their problem. SA has to produce more and export more if standard of living is to rise here. Internal service driven economy has limits.
 
sox63 said:
Organising into a collective could prove to be expensive for them. Its not like they can afford the union fees at the money they earn, even at minimum wage. And we all know, most don't even get that minimum wage to begin with.
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No, we all do not know that. I think that is just your perception.
 
sox63 said:
Organising into a collective could prove to be expensive for them. Its not like they can afford the union fees at the money they earn, even at minimum wage. And we all know, most don't even get that minimum wage to begin with.
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You are making them sound like prostitutes, or that sexual harassment and rape is okay as long as they get paid for it. That is messed up .
 
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