INTRODUCTION 

Senegal is among the first 40 poorest  countries in the world. This poverty is prevalent in all sectors of the Senegalese economy, particularly the world of work. This has lasted for more than three decades, leading to a rural exodus that has forced people to move to the cities in search of work. These people also include women and young girls who have dropped out of school. They work in very difficult or even precarious conditions due to the informal nature of their jobs.

INEQUALITIES IN TREATMENT DUE TO ITS INFORMAL NATURE

Every citizen’s right to work is a sacred right guaranteed by the Senegalese constitution. This right is governed by the Senegalese Labour Code, which defines a worker within the meaning of the law as any person who has undertaken to place his or her professional activity, in return for remuneration, under the direction and authority of another person, whether natural or legal, public or private, regardless of the legal status of the employer or employee. This code protects workers in order to improve their living and working conditions. This law governing the relationship between employer and employee does not apply to domestic work because of its informal nature. Indeed, like other forms of work, domestic work is characterised by the absence of an employment contract binding the employer and employee, which gives the employer exorbitant powers over his employee. This absence of a contract exposes female domestic workers to abusive exploitation in precarious conditions.

ABUSIVE EXPLOITATION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS BY EMPLOYERS

Domestic workers are generally women from rural areas who have dropped out of school. They are characterised by their low level of literacy, which facilitates their exploitation.

They are exploited with low pay, and although there are laws governing employment in Senegal, the level of pay is lower than that stipulated by law. It should be noted that the Guaranteed Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMIG) has risen from 55,000 CFA francs in 2019. These employees are paid between 25,000 and 30,000 CFA francs. This low income forces them to live in precarious conditions and in extremely difficult circumstances in order to meet their basic needs.

In addition, domestic workers are often mistreated because of their poor living conditions. They suffer harassment and are exposed to all forms of violence, whether physical or moral. Long working hours are a feature of domestic work, particularly for those who live with their employers.

CONCLUSION

In the current context of globalisation, where human rights are valued, domestic work in Senegal is treated differently from other employment sectors. It is a sector of activity that escapes state control because of its informal nature, which leads to exploitation and mistreatment of the women who work in it.