| dc.description.abstract | Domestic work is unrecognized, unregistered, unregulated, and one of the poorest remunerated occupations, whether performed by adults or children. Domestic work is hidden or clandestine, not just because the work is itself outlawed but also because it is done without minimum contractual requirements.
Most domestics live in, and are under the exclusive, round-the-clock control of the employer (normally the female head of household); they have little freedom or free time. Majority of domestics are girls; their powerlessness within the household renders them especially vulnerable to exploitation. Due to lack of or absence of any legal restrictions on employers, most earn paltry salaries. The domestic sector has been hampered by the fact that domestics work in private homes and often are not allowed out of the house except for chores. Given this invisibility, these domestics are particularly vulnerable to various forms of abuses.
This study aimed at investigating the nature of domestic work and the resulting intra household relations from a gender perspective in Embakasi Division, Nairobi Province. The gender focus meant not focusing only on girls and women but on inequalities wherever they exist.
The research therefore, focused mainly on the situation of relations between household members and live-in domestics, the role of different , players in the industry and puts in recommendations for the future of domestic labour.
The research was conducted in Embakasi division in Nairobi. The research site was selected being the largest division in Nairobi with a heterogeneous and mixed income population. The units of analysis in this study were principally domestics and their employers. Different types of data were required to make this project a success. Qualitative techniques were used focusing on questionnaires, in - depth interviews, case studies and unobtrusive observation. A total of 110 respondents were purposively selected and interviewed for the study. Secondary data was similarly carried out to supplement primary data sources. Data collected was then coded into major themes, analyzed and thereafter presented in pie charts and frequency distribution tables.
Key findings indicate that women are the major players, both as domestics and employers (at 90% and 87% respectively). Most domestics (40%) are aged between 20-24 years. 44% have completed upper primary education compared to 24% who have lower primary education. Due to lack of any legal reinforcement on their employers most (44%) earn between Kshs. 1500 and Kshs. 2000 per month compared to 32% earning Kshs. 1000 and Kshs. 1500 and 12% earning Kshs. 2000 and Kshs. 2500. There were variations in sleeping and eating arrangements. Most domestics (48%) eat after the rest of the household and often in the kitchen. A higher proportion (74%) share a room with the employers' child(ren) as compared to 13% sleeping in their own room.
Domestics perform numerous tasks ranging from cooking, washing, general housekeeping to baby-sitting. Sixty percent of employers recruit their domestics from bureaus. An overwhelming ninety percent induct them through rules as opposed to ten percent who induct by demonstration.
They suffer various forms of physical, emotional and sexual abuse by their employer. 6% female household heads physically abuse the domestic compared to 2% for the male household head. However, 16% of male household heads and a similar 10% of male children sexually abuse the domestics compared to 6% for other males (such as relatives or friends) living in the household. Female household heads are nevertheless culpable for verbally abusing domestics compared to 40% for the male head and 16% for the children.
Some domestics are equally guilty of meting abuse onto their employers and their children. 10% of domestics physically abuse the female employer and 16% of them physically abuse the employers' children. 14% of domestics verbally abuse the female household head and 32% verbally abuse children.
In conclusion, this research found that domestics are overworked, underpaid and unprotected denying them the opportunity to reach their full potential.
This research proposed that domestic labour be regulated, particularly the working conditions, terms of employment and gender based violence. Employers and domestics alike must be willing to sign a legal contract upon employment . | en |
