Every morning before dawn, thousands of Cambodia’s domestic workers quietly begin their day cooking, cleaning, caring, and holding together the households of others. Though essential to society, their labor has too often gone unseen, undervalued, and unprotected.
    
On June 15th, approximately 300 participants, including domestic workers, unpaid caregivers, street vendors, informal economy representatives, and government officials, gathered to mark the International Domestic Workers Day in Phnom Penh. Under them “Social Protection and Decent Work for Domestic Workers,” the event was co-hosted by the Independent Democratic Association of the Informal Economy (IDEA) and Oxfam, offering an important platform for domestic workers to share their voices, their struggles, and their hopes.

Domestic workers are vital to Cambodia’s economy. Yet they remain one of the most overlooked labor forces. This day reminds policymakers that domestic workers deserve full rights, social protection, and investment in their future—just like any other workers. The forum sparked candid dialogue around domestic workers’ realities—long hours, low wages, lack of employment contracts, and exposure to abuse. These challenges persist in the absence of legal recognition and comprehensive protection. Despite their contribution to households across the country, most domestic workers, primarily women, remain excluded from national social protection schemes.

Their work is labor-intensive and multifaceted: from childcare to elder care, from cooking to maintaining homes and gardens. And yet, many are deprived of even the most basic rights—such as rest days, occupational safety, or access to health services. Research by the International Labor Organization (ILO) highlights this vulnerability, showing that 76% of domestic workers worldwide are women, a majority of whom remain part of the informal economy.

ILO data highlights that 76% of domestic workers globally are women, most working informally. In Cambodia, 2019 research by the ILO revealed that domestic workers are among the most vulnerable labor groups—often facing poor working conditions, excessive workloads, and heightened risks of violence and exploitation.

Yet Cambodia has not ratified ILO Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. While Prakas No. 235, issued in 2018, adopts some of its provisions, it lacks coverage for cross-border workers, omits capacity building, and offers no enforceable mechanisms or standardized employment contracts.

“Domestic workers deserve more than gratitude. They deserve dignity, legal protection, and the freedom to organize. They must not be left behind,” said Mr. Pov Vorn, IDEA’s President.

The event was not just a commemoration but a call to action. Oxfam and our partner urge the Royal Government of Cambodia to ratify ILO Convention No. 189 on decent work for domestic workers, develop clear employment contracts and protection, ensure access to social protection including healthcare, pensions and accident coverage and to recognize the skills and value domestic worker bring to society.