For some time now the Missions team has been reflecting on a social justice issue, how we treat our Domestic Workers?
Our relationship with Jesus will impact and shape how we treat our neighbours, and how much closer a neighbour than the people who work in our homes. So, under Candice's lead, we have put together a draft Domestic Worker Charter which we want to put out for thought, discussion and feedback. What do you think?
Domestic
Worker: PVC principles
·
Principle 1: Dignity and respect
o
Treat Domestic Workers, as the image bearers of
God, with the dignity and respect you would show Jesus himself.
o
They are part of your family and integral to
your lives. Therefore, Domestic Workers should be encouraged to feel welcome
and loved in your home:
§
Eating and drinking with you and your family
§
Sharing your home
o
Treat Domestic Workers as valued co-workers,
enabling them to learn skills that can improve their career prospects (e.g.
attending a computer training course)
·
Principle 2: Living wage
o
Understand the financial situation of your
Domestic Worker and pay a wage that allows him/her to live with dignity (rather
than “the going rate”), taking into account all that we take for granted:
§
Living conditions
§
Safety and security
§
Transport
§
Nutrition
§
Education
§
Healthcare
o
Consider the luxuries you enjoy instead of
paying a living wage (Isaiah 58):
§
DSTV
§
Gym membership
§
Restaurant meals
§
Luxury cars
o
Consider helping your Domestic Worker to live in
a warm, dry, secure home
§
Consider buying (or contributing towards) a home
§
[If you are able to live in an affluent area, it
is possible to live in a home worth R100 000 less than “you can afford”
and in doing so help your Domestic Worker to purchase a “brick house”]
·
Principle 3: Compassion
o
Get to know your Domestic Workers as you would
your closest friend or family member.
§
Their families and life story
§
Their struggles and their dreams
§
Their walk with Jesus
o
Show compassion as Jesus did
§
Understand (and help to address) the challenges of
living in difficult conditions (such as availability of healthcare, childcare,
transport)
·
Principle 4: Labour Legislations
o
Ensure that, as an employer, you comply with all
labour legislation, including:
§
Registering yourself and Domestic Workers with
the Unemployment Insurance Fund
§
Concluding a written contract
I get it, but lets not loose sight of the fact that a domestic worker is just that, a worker, and not a family member, and should not be treated as family or the lines between employer and employee become blurred which can lead to all sorts of problems! Not everyone living in the area has cash to spare, some are in a lot of debt....
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