Child Domestic Workers in Zimbabwe

Foreword

Foreword Child domestic work has given rise to controversy throughout the world. Many people justify employing children to look after the house as a way of providing an income for poor children and their families. In our situation in Zimbabwe, it is sometimes a route to providing orphans with a means of livelihood. Some children use their labour to fund the expenses necessary to complete their schooling. Others condemn child domestic work as one of the worst forms of child labour. Child domestic workers are often humiliated and abused, verbally and physically. They often work long hours, with no time when they are formally off duty. They are prevented from completing their education, or from leaving the home of the employer, because they are physically locked into the house. In addition, the pay is often very low as employers want to ensure that they do not have the means to return to their own homes. As a result, their selfesteem is low and their development is impaired. Professor Michael Bourdillon's study shows both sides of this argument . This work shows that some children see their position in domestic employment as helpful, even to the extent of taking pride in how they have used such a position to see themselves through difficult times. On the other hand, many of the children are working under duress. They are unhappy in their work, and particularly with the lack of respect shown to them by employers and their families. Children are our future. If someone wants to help a child from a poor family by employing him or her to do tasks in the home, they need to ensure that the child is able to develop – physically, socially, intellectually , and psychologically. In light of the foregoing, Save the Children Norway-Zimbabwe supported the work of the Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers Union and the research process spearheaded by Professor Bourdillon because of our passion and commitment to Zimbabwe’s children. It is imperative for SCN to support work for and with children as this forms the core of our values. This book points to areas to which those who employ children need to pay particular attention. It also serves to remind us of our responix sibilities to the young in our society, and especially to those children who suffer harsh treatment, so compounding the traumas they have already experienced in their troubled lives. Lois Mushonga Country Director: Save the Children (Norway) Zimbabwe, 2005 x ...