Domestic Work, Wages and Gender Equality: Lessons from Developing Countries

The paper looks at the basic characteristics of female domestic workers, gaps in minimum wage coverage, compliance, and the extent of minimum wage violations. Presenting empirical evidence on labour market inequality along gender lines, the paper discusses the role of minimum wages for reducing gender disparity and questions of regulatory design. Finally, the paper examines strategies for compliance and enforcement, arguing that there is a need for comprehensive and innovative approaches in order to ensure respect for minimum wage legislation in the domestic work sector. It concludes that minimum wages for domestic workers are indeed an important tool for promoting gender equality within a broader approach to addressing informality and worker’s empowerment.