The majority of housekeepers, on whom parents rely to care for their children and the entire family, are subjected to both physical and psychological torment.
Dar es Salaam. One of the deepest desires shared by all human beings is to be treated with respect and dignity, whether in the workplace, as a customer, or as a student.
This fundamental need for recognition is essential to our well-being—an inherent right that everyone deserves.
However, how often do we extend this same kindness to our domestic workers, who tirelessly serve us every day?
Sometimes, we forget that they too have aspirations, needs, and the right to enjoy life.
"My boss was someone I spent most of my time with at home. When I requested a phone call to talk to my family, my request was denied. Instead, my boss would make the calls on my behalf, and I would have brief conversations with them. I lived a difficult life as attempts to leave the house were greeted with refusal and harsh words. I felt trapped, akin to living in a prison," Ms Sakina Raphael shares her poignant experience as a domestic worker in Dodoma.
Her Dar es Salaam colleague Mariam Gorge narrates her ordeal, saying she endured physical punishment while dedicating herself from morning to midnight to her caring employer's family.
“Despite this, I never received a word of appreciation. Even after feeding and taking the children to bed, instead, I was denied rest and instructed to stay awake. Eventually, I sought other opportunities to escape the suffering,” she laments.
Domestic workers often endure being treated as burdens, insignificant, and unworthy of familial inclusion.
They live in cramped quarters, wear worn-out clothes, and witness heartbreaking scenes where the employer's children are impeccably dressed while they appear exhausted and overlooked.
Reflecting on the emotional toll, the Kariakoo businessman, Mr Salim Abdullah, shares that the hardship facing domestic workers has been killing their hope.
"When a person feels unappreciated, they are psychologically dead. Everyone desires to feel valued. No one deserves to suffer; everyone should experience their worth on this earth,” he told The Citizen.
"Imagine disrespecting a person who cares for your children and cooks for your family. Such mistreatment drives some to extreme measures like poisoning. Sometimes, the housemaid eats alone in the kitchen while the family dines at the table. How would you feel once you were in their shoes?” he adds.
One of the domestic worker’s employees, Mr Jumanne Isihaka, says that there are times when they restrict domestic workers from going out frequently because the streets can have many dangers and problems that could harm them.
“I have a young woman here, and there are many unruly youth on the streets. It's not that they will change her life for the better; rather, they might ruin it. Additionally, I have a young daughter, and if I give the domestic worker too much freedom, there is a possibility that she might encounter bad things in the community and transfer to my daughter. So, sometimes we don't restrict them out of malice; it is after putting into consideration the environment we are in,” he explains.
However, despite these challenges, some domestic workers find themselves in environments where they are treated as family members, receiving the respect and necessities that every worker and family member deserves.
A mother of two, Ms Konjesta Alon, has navigated a relationship that resulted in pregnancy while fulfilling her duties.
"I will never forget where I came from because they were like my second family. My boss usually introduced me as their relative when we went out together as a family, not just as a domestic worker. I am grateful that the family continued to care for me and supported my new life and marriage," she shares.
Light for Domestic Workers (LDW) director and former domestic worker, Beatrice Johnson, highlights challenges facing domestic workers, including restricted communication due to personal reasons, denying most of them the right to own mobile phone gadgets.
She further emphasises the community's lack of awareness and existing stigma among domestic workers, suggesting that scaling up advocacy and education was paramount.
"The community does not believe that domestic work is equal to other work, making it difficult once someone becomes unaware of this fact. That's why today, if you tell an employer that a domestic worker is entitled to benefits like other employees, we find ourselves using a lot of energy,” she says.
“Domestic workers are protected by the same laws that protect other workers; there are no separate laws that provide additional protection to domestic workers,” adds Ms Johnson.
Despite providing education to the community about these challenges, Ms Johnson believes there is a need for significant support at the government level.
What they’re doing, they can’t reach the whole domestic workforce due to the large numbers they have in the country.
“We are collaborating with government agencies to advocate for specific legislation directly addressing domestic workers because integrating with other groups has been challenging and we can’t be heard due to the situation in the community in which we are living,” she elaborates.
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) lecturer and President of the Tanzanian Psychological Association (Tapa), Dr Magolanga Shagembe, highlights the profound impact of workplace challenges on domestic workers' mental health.
"They often lack decision-making powers and social interaction, hence spending most of their time indoors. Abuse and discrimination further deteriorate their well-being,” he explains, further stressing the importance of psychological well-being.
"When these workers are psychologically unwell, their efficiency decreases, leading to conflicts and disputes. Some may develop thoughts of self-harm or harming their employers as a result of the mistreatment they face,” says Dr Shagembe.
“They interact with fewer people because the workplace environment restricts interaction with other people. Domestic workers’ journey remains complex. Hence, advocacy, education, and legislative support are crucial in ensuring their rights and recognition are heightened,” he said.
