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Fin24 reports that inflation and the broader cost-of-living crisis are taking an immense toll on SA’s domestic workers, the latest annual SweepSouth report on pay and working conditions in the sector has found.
According to the report, living costs for the average domestic worker have increased 15% in the past year, dwarfing an average 5% earnings increase over the same period. "The lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are also evident in the domestic work sector, which has stabilised at around 850,000 jobs, marking a 15% reduction from its pre-pandemic peak," SweepSouth indicated. The survey's conclusions draw on responses from more than 5,600 workers, with 92% being female and the bulk of workers between the ages of 26 and 61. SweepSouth reported that 83% of the respondents were the sole financial support within their households, with an average of four dependents each. Some 36% of employed respondents reported losing some work due to employer affordability, while 21% of respondents lost full employment in the last year due to affordability and employer relocation. Financial insecurity is widespread, with 75% of respondents unable to save money monthly. Financial stress has had an impact on the mental health of domestic workers too. Positively, the survey results show a desire for ongoing education and skills development. When it comes to addressing these challenges, SweepSouth suggests several courses of action, including enforcing labour laws more rigorously, and exploring innovative solutions for compliance in private homes and considering diverse work arrangements.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at Fin24 (registration required)
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