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Fin24 reports that the sixth annual survey by SweepSouth found that the average domestic worker in SA owes more than she earns in a month to shops, friends and loan sharks – with a worsening debt spiral on the cards as more is spent than earned on an ongoing basis amid rising living costs.
According to the survey by the online platform through which customers can book domestic workers, the sector suffered "masses of job losses" over the past year, with the leading cause being employers moving. Of those who relocated, nearly 60% emigrated. The job losses indicated by the survey represented a 15% percent increase in the number of domestic workers who had lost their means of support. The 2023 Report on Domestic Workers Pay and Work Conditions, released on Sunday, surveyed over 5,500 participants. It found that the average domestic worker in SA – 94% of whom were women – was 37 years old and earned about R2,989 a month from domestic work as her only source of income while being the only breadwinner in her family. On average, she spent just under R700 more than she earned each month, was unable to save, had no medical aid, and owed about R3,599 to shops, friends and loan sharks, among others. Just 9% of the domestic workers surveyed had savings. For the first time, domestic workers flagged load shedding as a major factor in their safety and job security.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marelise van der Merwe at Fin24
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