South Africa’s domestic workers face tough times with many losing jobs, earning very low wages, and struggling against rising costs. Though there was a small rise in jobs recently, many women still endure long hours, fierce competition, and little legal protection. These workers are the backbone of daily life, yet their hard work often goes unseen and underappreciated. Despite challenges, they band together, support one another, and push for better pay and conditions. Their strength and hope shine through even in difficult times.
What are the main challenges facing South Africa’s domestic workers today?
South Africa’s domestic workers face job losses, low wages below R5,000 monthly, and rising living costs. They endure intense competition, long hours, and limited legal protections. Despite a slight job increase in 2025, the sector has shrunk 17% since COVID-19, impacting mostly women who rely on this income.
A Workforce at the Heart of Everyday Life
Every morning in South Africa, countless homes come to life as domestic workers set about their chores. These individuals keep households running with their care and attention, contributing to the daily routines of families both wealthy and less privileged. Despite their essential role, few truly appreciate the pressures and risks these workers face in an unstable labor market.
Recent data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) shows a small increase in domestic worker jobs in the second quarter of 2025. Between April and June, about 21,000 new positions emerged, marking a 2.5% growth in this sector. For a country still picking up the pieces after the COVID-19 pandemic, this modest uptick could seem encouraging at first glance – perhaps even a sign that recovery is underway.
However, conversations with domestic workers reveal a more sobering reality. Many describe intense competition for fewer jobs, extended work hours, and incomes that no longer stretch as far as they once did. While the statistical bump provides a glimmer of hope, the lived experiences of those in the sector suggest a more challenging day-to-day existence.
Deep Cuts and Changing Realities
A closer examination of the numbers uncovers a persistent downward trend. Comparing the current job figures to those from a year ago, the sector actually shrank by 4,000 positions – a 0.5% decrease. This year-on-year decline highlights the fragile nature of the brief quarterly rebound. The broader picture becomes stark when considering the long-term impact of the pandemic: South Africa has lost approximately 160,000 domestic worker jobs since COVID-19 struck, a staggering 17% reduction in the sector’s workforce.
These losses do not occur in a vacuum. The vast majority of domestic workers in South Africa are women, many of whom serve as the main income providers for their families. The ripple effects of disappearing jobs stretch deep into entire communities, as households reliant on this modest yet vital income find themselves in increasingly precarious positions.
Personal stories bring these trends into sharp focus. Thandi, a Johannesburg domestic worker, remembers losing her job when pandemic lockdowns emptied many suburban neighborhoods. Though she eventually secured employment again, she had to accept lower pay and minimal benefits. Daily, she wonders if her new position will last. Stories like hers repeat across the country, each one echoing a shared anxiety about the future.
Roots of Inequality and Persistent Challenges
Domestic work in South Africa traces its history to colonial and apartheid times, when forced migration and race-based labor systems shaped patterns that persist today. These legacies still determine who finds work, under what conditions, and for what pay. Even now, many domestic workers earn less than R5,000 a month. Soaring food prices, rising transport costs, and general inflation make it hard for these wages to cover basic needs. Any small crisis – such as a family emergency or loss of a day’s pay – can have devastating effects on household stability.
Labor unions such as the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) have raised alarm about these trends. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), the national unemployment rate has risen from 32.9% to 33.2%. This increase translates into 140,000 more people without work, bringing the total number of unemployed South Africans to 8.4 million. While employment rose by 19,000 to reach 16.8 million jobs, the rise in unemployment dwarfed these gains.
These shifts play out daily across South Africa. In townships, informal businesses jostle for space on busy streets, and crowds wait outside job agencies. Discouraged work-seekers dropped by a mere 0.8%, and the economically inactive population shrank by just 28,000. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes those who have stopped seeking work, saw only a slight dip from 43.1% to 42.9%. For most, these marginal changes offer little hope.
Women Carry the Burden
The domestic work sector has long acted as a lifeline for women marginalized from the formal economy. Academic research, including Jacklyn Cock’s well-known study “Maids and Madams,” details how domestic jobs historically reinforced divisions of race, class, and gender – patterns that still echo loudly today. Legal reforms since democracy have brought new protections for workers, but gaps in enforcement remain widespread. Many domestic workers report ongoing exploitation, including lack of written contracts and paid leave.
Despite many obstacles, domestic workers forge powerful support networks. In both large cities and rural towns, women share leads on jobs, support one another in emergencies, and organize for better conditions. Groups like the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) offer advocacy and practical help, taking cues from global campaigns such as the International Labour Organization’s Convention 189, which sets standards for decent domestic work.
New pressures, however, continue to mount. Some employers, constrained by rising costs and uncertainty, cut hours or terminate contracts. The shift to remote work changes family routines and reduces the need for in-home help. At the same time, digital platforms for hiring domestic workers are on the rise, with smartphone apps connecting job seekers directly to employers. While these tools can open up more opportunities, they also raise questions about job security and wage standards.
The Push for Change and New Possibilities
FEDUSA and other unions argue that stronger action is needed to address unemployment and protect vulnerable workers. Their proposals include investing in skills training, supporting small business ventures, and attracting new investment to create jobs. By encouraging entrepreneurship and helping workers learn new skills, advocates hope to broaden economic opportunity both within and outside the domestic sector.
South Africa has a long tradition of labor activism. The 1973 Durban strikes, for instance, played a key role in challenging apartheid’s harsh labor laws. That spirit continues to motivate today’s campaigns for fair wages and improved conditions. Policymakers, meanwhile, must juggle the demands of economic growth, social protection, and fiscal responsibility.
Domestic workers continue to navigate uncertainty with determination. Their mornings start before dawn, with long commutes and heavy responsibilities awaiting them. In churches, community centers, and online forums, they share stories, build solidarity, and chart strategies for a better tomorrow.
Writers and artists have documented the complex lives of South Africa’s domestic workers. Works from authors like Sindiwe Magona and photographers such as David Goldblatt give voice and visibility to those whose labor often goes unnoticed. Their stories highlight both the dignity and the challenges at the heart of domestic work.
Innovative programs offer new support for workers. Nonprofits now run workshops on financial literacy, digital skills, and legal rights. Such initiatives aim to give workers more control over their futures. Some women move from domestic work to launch small businesses, such as catering services or childcare centers, inspiring others in the process.
The fate of domestic workers reflects larger economic trends – persistent inequality, high unemployment, and slow growth. Each lost job affects not just an individual, but entire families and neighborhoods. As South Africa debates how to secure its economic future, the voices and aspirations of domestic workers remain central to any path forward. Their resolve, woven into the nation’s daily life, remains a testament to survival and hope.
FAQ: The Hidden Struggles of South Africa’s Domestic Workers
1. What are the main challenges currently faced by South Africa’s domestic workers?
South Africa’s domestic workers grapple with job losses, low wages (often below R5,000 per month), and rising living costs such as food, transport, and inflation. They face fierce competition for fewer positions, long working hours, and limited legal protections. Despite a slight rise in jobs in early 2025, the sector has shrunk by 17% since the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately affecting women who often rely on domestic work as their primary source of income.
2. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted domestic work in South Africa?
The pandemic caused around 160,000 job losses in the domestic sector – a 17% reduction – due to lockdowns and economic disruptions. Many domestic workers lost their jobs when households reduced or stopped in-home help. Although there has been a modest job recovery recently, the overall number of domestic work positions remains below pre-pandemic levels, and wages and benefits have often declined.
3. What legal protections exist for domestic workers, and are they effective?
South Africa has introduced legal reforms since democracy aimed at protecting domestic workers, including rights to written contracts, paid leave, and fair wages. However, enforcement remains weak. Many domestic workers report ongoing exploitation, such as unpaid leave, lack of contracts, and informal arrangements, leaving them vulnerable to unfair treatment.
4. How do domestic workers support each other in these difficult circumstances?
Domestic workers build strong support networks through unions like the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU), community groups, and online forums. They share job leads, organize for better pay and working conditions, and offer mutual aid during emergencies. These networks are vital sources of solidarity, advocacy, and empowerment.
5. What role do technology and new hiring platforms play in domestic work?
Digital platforms and smartphone apps have emerged to connect domestic workers directly with employers, potentially increasing access to jobs. However, these platforms also raise concerns about job security, wage standards, and workers’ rights, as gig-like arrangements may lack traditional protections. The technology trend is reshaping how domestic work is sourced but also challenges existing labor models.
6. What efforts are being made to improve the lives and prospects of domestic workers?
Unions, nonprofits, and advocacy groups are pushing for stronger labor protections, skills training, and economic opportunities beyond domestic work. Programs offering financial literacy, digital skills training, and entrepreneurship support help workers gain more control over their futures. Policymakers and labor activists emphasize the need for fair wages, legal enforcement, and investment in job creation to uplift this vulnerable workforce.
If you want to learn more or get involved, consider exploring organizations like FEDUSA and SADSAWU, or supporting community initiatives dedicated to empowering domestic workers across South Africa.
