Italy ratifies the Domestic Workers Convention

Italy is the 4th ILO member State and the first EU member State to ratify this instrument which seeks to improve the working and living conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide.

News | 22 January 2013

GENEVA – On 22 January 2013, the Government of Italy deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). Italy is the 4th ILO member State and the first EU member State to ratify this instrument which seeks to improve the working and living conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide. Italy is among the three biggest employers of domestic workers within Europe with women accounting for 88 per cent of the total number of workers.

In transmitting the instrument of ratification, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the ILO, Ambassador Mirachian, stated: "I am pleased that my country has been among the first to have ratified this landmark treaty setting standards for the treatment of domestic workers worldwide. I trust that other countries will follow, as this Convention has brought protection to the millions of domestic workers who are, for the vast majority, women and girls. The Italian prompt ratification shows Italy’s strong commitment to ILO’s principles and values, namely to the core concept of decent work”.

In receiving the instrument of ratification of Convention No. 189 by Italy, the Director-General, Mr Guy Ryder, stated: “By drafting and adopting international labour standards concerning domestic work in 2011, the ILO addressed decent work deficits for one of the most vulnerable group of workers. By ratifying Convention No. 189 today, Italy takes the lead in the global effort to fight the exploitation, inequalities and discrimination so long suffered by domestic workers. There is clearly growing momentum for the early and widespread ratification of this Convention and I am confident that many more countries will soon follow the example of Italy”.

In accordance with its Article 21, the Domestic Workers Convention will enter into force on 5 September 2013,that is twelve months after the date on which it was ratified by two ILO member States.