KABUL (SW) – A recent series of interviews conducted by Salam Watandar with 22 female domestic workers in Afghanistan reveals the harsh realities they face such as enduring physically demanding work for low wage coupled with poor treatment by their employers.
A comprehensive discussion with 22 female domestic workers across various provinces has shed light on their challenging circumstances. These women, who endure strenuous tasks in private homes, are driven by economic necessity, yet their meager earnings fall short of meeting basic living expenses.
Out of the 22 women interviewed, 20 are sole providers for their families, struggling to meet even minimal living requirements through domestic work.
Among these workers, 19 expressed dissatisfaction with their financial compensation, 11 of them reported experiencing unprofessional and inappropriate conduct and even instances of humiliation from their employers.
The report includes views of women across several provinces; 4 from Jowzjan, 3 from Bamyan, 3from Takhar, 3 from Nangarhar, 3 from Faryab, 3 from Kabul, 2 from Kunduz, and 1 from Baghlan.
Fawzia from Kapisa province, is one such worker. She is the sole supporter of her seven-member family, and the wear and tear on her hands are evident of a life marked by hardship. Fawzia, who is also ill, does laundry, baking, and cleaning in people’s homes out of financial necessity. She laments the exhausting nature of her work and the struggle to secure even a modest living for her children. “Working in people’s homes with so many difficulties has exhausted me. But I keep pushing myself to provide for my children,” Fawzia said.
Similarly, Layla, 39, from Kunduz, reflects on her situation with a heavy heart. She wishes her responsibilities were only for her own children. Layla has been working as a domestic laborer for the past six years, managing to cover basic expenses for her grandchildren, who are orphans following her son’s death.
“It has been almost six years since I started this work. I have no choice but to do whatever work is available to support my family, including the five grandchildren left behind by my martyr son,” Layla explained.
Among the 22 workers, dissatisfaction with wages is a common theme. Fatima, 35, from Bamyan, who has been working for three years, finds her wage inadequate for covering household expenses. “I earn between 3,000 to 4,000 afghanis a month, depending on the amount of work. This is not enough to cover our household expenses. I work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Fridays, and have no days off,” Fatima described her situation.
Additionally, Najiba, 40, from Takhar, whose husband is ill and she is the sole breadwinner, said, “The work I do is a lot and the wages I receive are not enough. My income barely meets our needs. My home is rented, and my meagure wages – 200 afghanis – are paid daily. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t work under these conditions.”
Among the 22 female domestic workers interviewed, 11 complained about inappropriate behavior from their employers, often facing humiliation and disrespect.
Rozi Gul, a 35-year-old widow from Takhar province and mother of four, has been working in people’s homes for the past three years after her husband was killed in internal conflicts. Despite her hopes for a better future for her orphaned children, Rozi Gul endures disparaging remarks and mistreatment from her employers. She explains, “They ask me to do laundry, then to sweep the courtyard, wash windows, and clean dishes. If they find any stains or imperfections, they curse me. I am exhausted and find it hard to manage on what they pay for laundry work.”
Similarly, Mili, a 30-year-old from Faryab province, shares her struggles working as a domestic cleaner for a monthly salary of 2,000 afghanis. Despite working long hours, Mili explains that she faces poor treatment and frequent insults from her employers. She notes, “There are no days off, and the behavior from those I work for is not good. They are rich, while I am poor. They eat well, and I make do with only dry bread. Our rights are trampled, and we don’t get what we deserve.”
Calls for legal reforms and cultural support
Women’s rights activists highlight several critical issues faced by Afghan female domestic workers, including wage disparities, gender biases, poor working conditions, negative cultural attitudes, and the lack of protective laws. They emphasize that these problems reflect broader societal issues in Afghanistan, advocating for stronger legal protections and better oversight to address these challenges.
Farahnaz Meraj, one of these activists, stated, “The problems that Afghan women face in work environments, especially in free or domestic labor, point to broader challenges in Afghan society, including inequality in financial compensation and inappropriate treatment. These issues stem from gender biases, the lack of effective protective laws, and negative cultural attitudes. To improve conditions, stronger protective and regulatory laws need to be established.”
Another women’s rights activist Wazhma Yaqubi, further said, “Unfortunately, women today struggle with numerous problems, working hard to earn a meager income for their families. They deserve respect and better working conditions. The government needs to create more job opportunities and should pay attention to find a way for women to be busy with their own business.”
Social issues experts emphasize the critical need for both legal and cultural reforms to create a discrimination-free society for Afghan workers. Zia Nikzad, a social issues expert, asserts that the establishment of protective laws for domestic and freelance daily wage workers, along with a supportive cultural shift, is essential for a healthier society.
Nikzad said, “To ensure a healthier society, we first need laws that protect women against their needs. Secondly, a cultural shift is necessary where the public, even if the government fails, supports and stands by women. We need to create a conducive working environment that ensures safety and enables workers to perform their jobs effectively.”
Legal experts also highlight the absence of practical regulations governing employer-worker relations in Afghanistan. Abdul Shakur Dadras, a legal expert, points out that existing labor laws are not effectively implemented, allowing employers to set arbitrary wages and employment terms without regard for workers’ rights and urge the de-facto government to address this issue.
Dadras remarks, “In Afghanistan, unfortunately, labor laws are merely nominal. While there were laws in the past, there is no evidence of their implementation. Employers hire and set wages at their discretion and can terminate workers arbitrarily, which is highly distressing. Workers are left uncertain about their livelihoods and working hours.”
Despite these issues, officials from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs have informed Salam Watandar that the labor law is under review.
Samiullah Ebrahim, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, explains, “According to the Amir al-Mu’minin’s decree, a review of laws and regulations has begun. Fortunately, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has reviewed the labor law, which has been adjusted to comply with Islamic principles and updated to meet contemporary needs. The revised law has been sent to the Ministry of Justice and is now awaiting approval from the respectful Amir al-Mu’minin.”
Attempts to obtain the Ministry of Justice’s perspective on the revised laws were unsuccessful.
Female domestic workers continue to face significant challenges as they navigate their roles amidst recent political upheavals and restrictions on women’s employment. Many women have turned to domestic work to meet their basic needs and avoid starvation, highlighting the urgent need for effective legal protections and supportive cultural attitudes.
