Lenasia domestic workers demand fair treatment and respect

A march was held in the Lenasia CBD on Saturday, August 23, as members of the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) demanded an end to the ill-treatment and exploitation of domestic workers in the area.

The march was sparked by a SADSAWU report revealing alarming levels of abuse against domestic workers in Lenasia.

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SADSAWU’s chairperson in Johannesburg and national president, Maria Thupa, highlighted the plight of domestic workers who are often denied basic rights, including minimum wage, overtime pay, and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) registration.

“We are marching to bring awareness that domestic workers are also human and deserve fair compensation for their work,” Thupa emphasised.

Thupa stressed that employers must register their domestic workers for UIF, regardless of whether they work part-time or full-time. According to South African government regulations, any employee, including domestic workers, who works for more than 24 hours per month, must be registered with the UIF.

To put an end to these unacceptable practices, SADSAWU will be conducting house-to-house inspections in Lenasia, in collaboration with the Department of Labour. Thupa warned employers that hiring undocumented foreign nationals will result in consequences.

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SADSAWU’s efforts extend to all domestic workers, including foreign nationals with proper South African documentation. The union continues to strive for national and worldwide recognition of domestic workers’ contributions to the global economy.

On Saturday, August 30 to 31, the SADSAWU members were visited by the Department of Labour for more information on the acts that protect workers.