Promoting Dignity, Equity, and Justice in Domestic Work
The Decent Work Pillar, is a core initiative of CDTD that empowers domestic workers in Kenya through holistic workforce development programs. Aligned with the global Decent Work Agenda, the pillar supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.4, which recognizes the value of unpaid care and domestic work, and SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
Since 2001, CDTD has addressed critical challenges such as child labour, forced labour, trafficking in persons, and violations of acceptable work conditions, ensuring that every domestic worker enjoys secure, dignified, and fair employment. Our mission is to create a just labour market where domestic workers receive equitable treatment, fair wages, safe working environments, and opportunities for social and economic advancement.
Our Mission
To create a just labor market where every Domestic Worker experiences equitable treatment, fair wages, safe working environments, and opportunities for social and economic mobility.
Our Work
Who We Target
- Domestic Workers seeking training, job opportunities, and financial empowerment.
- Domestic Worker Placement Agencies/Bureaus, which act as intermediaries in connecting workers and employers.
- Employers of Domestic Workers, both local and international, committed to fair labor practices.
- Government Duty Bearers responsible for enforcing labor rights
- Communities hosting Domestic Workers, including those vulnerable to exploitation.
- Unemployed youth looking for opportunities in the domestic work sector.
Our Commitment
- Provide skill-enhancing training programs tailored to the needs of domestic workers.
- Facilitate job placements for trained domestic workers, connecting them with meaningful employment opportunities.
- Advocate for the rights and recognition of domestic workers within the labor sector.
- Foster financial inclusion through partnerships with financial institutions, including The Domestic Workers Sacco.
- Create a supportive community through networking and information sharing.
Intervention Strategies
1. Mobilization and Self-Organizing
We actively engage with communities, government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Domestic Workers. Through mobilization, we empower workers to self-organize into groups, which strengthens their ability to advocate for themselves and negotiate for better working conditions.2. Skills Training and Development
Our training programs are designed to enhance Domestic Workers’ marketable skills, helping them meet the demands of a rapidly changing labor market. This includes specialized training in homecare management, child care, elderly care, and general household management.3. Job Placement
With a focus on ethical recruitment practices, CDTD helps Domestic Workers secure employment in homes, institutions, and businesses where their rights are respected, and their contributions are valued. The Homecare Hub App is central to this effort, providing a streamlined, transparent job placement service that matches trained workers with employers.4. Advocacy
We champion the rights of Domestic Workers through continuous advocacy efforts at the local, national, and international levels. Our focus includes labor standards, fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection from violence and exploitation. Our advocacy also extends to securing the ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions C189 and C190.5. Financial Inclusion and Empowerment
Many Domestic Workers lack access to formal financial services, leaving them vulnerable to economic insecurity. Our partnership with The Domestic Workers Sacco helps bridge this gap by offering savings accounts, affordable credit, and investment opportunities tailored to the unique needs of Domestic Workers.6. Economic Empowerment
Domestic Workers trained through our Homecare Hubs are connected with employment opportunities in private households, daycare centers, and institutions both locally and internationally. With the innovative Homecare Hub App, we have revolutionized job placement, offering Domestic Workers safe, dignified work in an increasingly formalized sector. Additionally, through The Domestic Workers Sacco, we provide access to financial services that support savings, credit, and long-term investment.Homecare Hubs
To ensure accessibility for Domestic Workers, CDTD operates 10 community-based Homecare Hubs within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. These hubs offer critical training, mentorship, and job placement services to workers from diverse backgrounds. Our hubs are located in:
- Dandora
- Githurai
- Kawangware
- Kangemi
- Kibera
- Mathare
- Mukuru Nyayo
- Mukuru Reuben
- Mukuru Kayaba
- Waruku