Domestic workers in South Africa face an exceptionally challenging environment as they are up against the country\u2019s brain drain, high inflation, and government inefficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was revealed in the sixth annual SweepSouth Domestic Worker Pay and Work Conditions report released on 31 June 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s report received 5,500 responses from domestic workers across South Africa. The majority were women (94%), sole breadwinners (84%), single caregivers (64%), and supported an average of four dependents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2023\u2019s survey showed that the burdens domestic workers face have been exacerbated by devastating job losses over the past year, with 28% of respondents having lost their domestic worker job (2022: 25%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 1 in 4 respondents lost their job due to affordability, similar to 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, employers moving home increased considerably, growing from 25% in 2022 to 40% in 2023, with the majority (59%) moving overseas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SweepSouth managing director Luke Kannemeyer told 702\u2019s The Money Show<\/a> that the post-Covid-19 recovery many hoped for in the sector \u201cwill not happen\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of domestic workers in South Africa peaked at 1.2 million. This year, that number fell to around 800,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said the number of jobs lost due to immigration, which he estimated was 20,000, was particularly concerning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat has systemic effects across the economy \u2013 across tax collection \u2013 which then has the compounded effect on low-income earners and domestic workers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More worryingly, only 14% of domestic workers who lost their job were registered for UIF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kannemeyer said this is an employer\u2019s responsibility, but the system\u2019s inefficiencies hold many from registering domestic workers for UIF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He explained that the legislation to protect workers exists, but little is being done to promote access to this protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy can I open a bank account with a selfie, but when I go to a UIF filing website, I\u2019ll be lucky if it loads today?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat really needs a shake-up, and we really need to bring this fourth industrial revolution to the fore so that these things are easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, while total household earnings are recovering post-Covid, Kannemeyer said a new concerning trend of underemployment is negatively impacting domestic workers\u2019 take-home pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some domestic workers are now being employed for fewer days a week, and their monthly earnings are, therefore, not keeping up with inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kannemeyer said one of the biggest variable cost items within the basket that have increased over the last year is food, which has gone up by 12%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s where workers are forced to compromise, and we get particularly worried that nutritional deficits that have become a big issue in society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s not something you get over. Once the economy recovers, those affected by nutritional deficits will be affected for many, many years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article was first published by Daily Investor and republished with permission. Read the original here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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