A regional exchange in Yerevan has brought renewed attention to the need for stronger rights, representation, and protection for domestic workers across the South Caucasus. The two-day event, held on 30–31 March 2026, gathered representatives from Armenia and Georgia to share experiences and explore policy pathways for improving working conditions in the sector.
The discussions were supported by the International Labour Organization and organized by UN Women, bringing together trade unions, employers’ groups, civil society organizations, and international partners. The exchange focused on promoting dialogue, sharing best practices, and identifying strategies to formalize domestic work, a sector largely dominated by women and often characterized by informal and vulnerable employment.
Nune Hovhannisyan highlighted that domestic work plays a vital role in economies but remains largely invisible and underprotected. She pointed out that many domestic workers lack formal contracts, fair wages, and access to labour and social protections, as well as the right to organize. She emphasized the importance of adopting and implementing the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) to address these gaps.
Experts from the ILO also contributed insights during the event. Claire Hobden shared global best practices for protecting domestic workers, stressing the importance of labour standards, formal employment structures, and inclusive policy frameworks.
In Armenia, progress is already being made to strengthen worker representation. With ILO support, the “INKD” (“Yourself”) trade union of informal workers has been established under the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia. This initiative provides domestic and informal workers with a collective voice, access to legal support, and a platform to engage with employers.
Participants from Georgia also shared their experiences in organizing domestic workers through unions and associations, offering practical lessons that can inform policy development and strengthen worker mobilization efforts in Armenia.
The exchange reinforced that advancing decent work for domestic workers is both a labour rights and gender equality priority. Key recommendations included strengthening legal frameworks, expanding access to social and labour protections, and supporting the growth of workers’ organizations.
The International Labour Organization reiterated its call for Armenia to ratify Convention No. 189 and reaffirmed its commitment to helping align national legislation with international labour standards, ensuring that domestic work is formally recognized and that the rights of both workers and employers are protected.
