| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influenced the vulnerability of female domestic workers in Nairobi County. Domestic work is viewed by many as difficult, dirty, and demeaning. The tasks involved are demanding and involve expending a lot of physical energy. Domestic workers are demeaned by being verbally and physically abused, payment of low wages and lack of job security. The vulnerability of domestic workers made the profession to be shunned, yet it is a sector, if positively developed, has a potential to absorb a large number of job seekers and dependants in productive economy.
Local researchers have identified factors that push females into the service and some have recommended vocational training and awareness raising campaigns to help alleviate the vulnerability of the female domestic workers. Local and International Non-governmental organizations have tried to alleviate the challenges facing the female domestic workers by providing empowering skills. The Civil Society and Labour organizations have also facilitated awareness forums. Despite all these interventions, the abuse of female domestic workers persists with shocking experiences being reported from time to time. The objectives of the study were therefore to determine how vocational training or the lack of it; awareness of rights among the workers; their socio-economic backgrounds and prior work experience influenced the vulnerability experienced by the female domestic workers.
Two design methods were employed in the study, namely the survey and descriptive research designs. The target population consisted of adolescent females trained by the Center for Domestic ~raining and Development (CDTD) between 2008 and 2009 in Nairobi County. Those interviewed came from ten estates scattered in Nairobi County. Purposive and snowballing sampling methods were employed to capture the in-depth information required for the study and also because locating the trained female adolescents was not possible without the help of the few that could be readily contacted. Aware of the low literacy level of the respondents, interview guides administered by the interviewer were used.
The study found that despite enhanced vocational training and awareness raising interventions, female domestic workers were still vulnerable, earning an average of Kshs. 4552.00 per month which was nearly half the combined minimum wage and house allowance of Kshs. 8724.00 recommended by the 1 89th Convention of the 100th Conference of the International Labour Organization held in Geneva in June 2011. They were also overworked, averaging 12.6 hours per day without overtime compensation contrary to the stipulated eight hours a day. This was despite efforts to train them and create awareness of their rights. It was concluded that specific and enforceable legislation which established domestic work as sector of employment with its own regulator or commission was required. | en_US |
