Wages of domestic workers increased, but at slower rate: ILO report
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A new ILO report reveals that while domestic work informality is decreasing, wage growth for domestic workers lags significantly behind other sectors. Despite global progress since the 2011 convention, most domestic workers remain without adequate social protections.
The State of Domestic Labor: A Global Analysis
Fifteen years after the landmark adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention, the global landscape for this vital workforce remains a mix of modest progress and persistent structural inequality. A new statistical brief released in Geneva on October 27, 2026, highlights that while there has been a measurable reduction in the informality of domestic work across various nations, the sector continues to face systemic challenges that undermine the economic security of millions.
The Persistence of Informality
Despite the efforts of the past decade and a half, the ILO report underscores a sobering reality: more than four in five domestic workers worldwide continue to labor in the informal sector. This status leaves them largely invisible to regulatory frameworks, often depriving them of essential labor rights, minimum wage protections, and access to social security schemes. The persistence of this informality is not merely a policy failure but a reflection of the deep-seated societal undervaluing of care and domestic labor.
Wage Stagnation and Growing Inequality
One of the most concerning findings in the 2026 ILO report is the widening wage gap between domestic workers and employees in other economic sectors. While nominal wages for domestic workers have seen increases in many regions, the rate of growth is notably slower than that of their counterparts in the broader labor market. This trend suggests that even as economies modernize, the domestic work sector is being left behind, failing to keep pace with inflation and general productivity gains.
The Indian Context: A Microcosm of Global Trends
India serves as a critical case study for this global phenomenon. The ILO brief specifically notes that while nominal wages for domestic workers in the country have risen, they have grown at a significantly slower pace than those of other employees. This disparity exacerbates income inequality and highlights the lack of a comprehensive national framework that could bridge the gap between domestic workers' contributions and their financial remuneration.
Implications and Future Trends
If this trajectory continues, the domestic work sector risks becoming an entrenched low-wage trap, potentially discouraging new entrants and destabilizing the care economy. Future policy trends must shift toward formalization—bringing domestic workers into the ambit of formal labor laws—to ensure that economic growth is inclusive. Without robust legislative intervention, the current pattern of wage disparity is likely to widen, further marginalizing a workforce that is essential to the functioning of modern households and, by extension, the broader economy.
Conclusion
The ILO's findings are a call to action for policymakers worldwide. While the reduction in informality is a positive step, the stagnation of wages relative to other sectors proves that legal recognition alone is insufficient. Achieving genuine equity for domestic workers will require proactive legislative measures that mandate social protection and ensure that wage growth keeps pace with the rest of the economy.
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