Introduction

In Madagascar, looking for a job is a challenging endeavour for both graduates and non-graduates, especially for girls and women who work within the home as domestic workers. The observation is that girls and women are predominantly the ones who perform this kind of work, while very few men do so. Consequently, women suffer from low pay even when they workday and night and remain underpaid. This raise the following questions: Are labour rights enforced in a fair manner for Malagasy women? And why are there more women than men in this occupation?

Working Conditions for Malagasy Domestic Workers

According to Law N° 2024-014 (Labor Code), Chapter IV (Respect for Human Dignity), Section 1, Article 10, Paragraph 1: “Every employee is entitled to be treated with dignity. In all employment relationships, no one shall suffer abuse or violence affecting their physical or moral integrity, as provided for by the penal code.” In view of this, all employment should be formal and protective, regardless of gender. However, informal employment dominates in Malagasy society. From this perspective, girls and women domestic workers perform their duties under informal conditions without fully accessing their rights just because their employment is not recognized alongside that of other workers.

The Realities of Girls and Women Domestic Workers

Girls and women work for a range of reasons to provide for their families, pay off a debt, or invest in their future yet they suffer unfair treatment when looking for employment. Often, they are placed by intermediaries or “Panera.” Some submit their applications or undergo training through an agency, but many find employment through word of mouth or a friend and are subject to numerous demands by their employers while receiving salaries as low as 50,000, 70,000, or at most 100,000 ariary per month. A 40-year-old woman explained that she wakes up at 4 a.m. and cannot go to bed until her employer does, even if she is very tired. While performing all the domestic tasks, in addition to looking after a baby, she is paid only 70,000 ariary and frequently faced delayed payments.

Conclusion

The law is meant to punish or protect individuals within society. Without fair, equal, and equitable application, society falls into insecurity. In this context, it is crucial to highlight the labour rights of domestic workers in Madagascar in order to appreciate the role of human rights in Malagasy society. In view of these conditions, greater policy intervention is needed to guarantee equality for all Malagasy workers.

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