Access for domestic workers to labour and social protection: An analysis of policies in 34 European countries

This report, prepared by the European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAN), covers 34 European countries: the 27 EU Member States and 7 (potential) candidate countries. Drawing on the country reports prepared by the ESPAN country teams, it provides for each country a detailed mapping of the domestic work sector (an estimate of the number of domestic workers, their socio-demographic characteristics and the key features of their main job) and an assessment of the extent to which domestic workers have access to labour and social protection.

The study shows that while formal access to social protection is generally available to domestic workers (in declared employment), there are significant challenges in terms of effective access, adequacy of benefits, gender disparities and access for migrant workers in many countries. As far as labour protection is concerned, domestic workers often have, formally, the same labour rights as other workers; but they are more likely to face exploitative conditions and to suffer from a lack of enforcement of labour law. In a number of countries, their access to labour protection is subject to specific or conditional provisions. 

The study concludes with concrete suggestions for strengthening labour and social protection for domestic workers across Europe.