Protection in Domestic Employment: Study on Maputo City and Province

Abstract

The current work had as its fundamental objective to evaluate the catalog of rights of domestic workers in Mozambique as well as their implementation, both internally and in the international and regional context. It aimed to demonstrate the limitations of the Decree No. 40/2008, of 26 November, in consideration to the vicissitudes of the rights of domestic workers in Mozambique, as well as to identify a mechanism for finding solutions favorable to such workers. Their low level of education, as well as the lack of knowledge of the legal regime for domestic work, both for themselves and for employers, is one of the causes of discrimination against this working class in Mozambique. This research was carried out through a qualitative approach, in that several legal instruments have been analyzed, coherently with the practical aspects verified in the field. The bibliographic and inductive methods should not be neglected. It constituted an extremely relevant element for the purpose of taking a position in relation to the results achieved. As a result, this research showed that the Republic of Mozambique does not present favorable conditions for domestic workers. Domestic workers face great difficulties, such as low wages, arbitrariness, discrimination or even lack of respect and consideration, which undermines their personality rights. Finally, it was possible to verify that Mozambique is one of the few countries in the region that has not adhered, that is, it has not ratified ILO Convention 189, referring to domestic work.