Addressing Vulnerability and Exploitation of Child Domestic Workers: An Open Challenge to End a Hidden Shame, c2006
Cecilia Flores-Oebanda
Visayan Forum Foundation; United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
E-mail:director@visayanforum.org

This paper argues that countries should either integrate domestic work under existing labour legislation or introduce specific laws for the protection of adult domestic workers and the prevention of underage worker recruitment.

The author highlights that governments should give priority to the following measures: (1) intensify international support for the passage of national laws such as the 'batas kasambahay' which addresses the specific vulnerabilities of domestic workers and aims to change social perceptions and policies to recognize the dignity of the sector or domestic workers' bill in the Philippines; (2) address trafficking dimensions in domestic work ; (3) implement educational strategies that take into account the unique situation of child domestic labourers ; (4) expand protective services for domestic workers, especially those at risk and those already trapped in exploitation and (5) integrate the recommendations of child domestic workers into policy and practice.