Senior Government minister Karl Samuda on Thursday expressed confidence that the era of unfair treatment and sexual harassment experienced by some household workers is ending due to increased advocacy of their union.

Samuda, the minister of labour and social security, was speaking at the Jamaica Household Workers’ Union’s (JHWU) launch of a manual and two public service announcements campaigns on International Domestic Workers’ Day, which was also the union’s 31st anniversary.

“I think the manual reflects the direction in which the union is going. There continues to be an elevated contribution because, over years, the help of people like Shirley Pryce [JHWU president], has caused the community of domestic workers to gain every day in respect and support for the work they do. It wasn’t always like that.

“Many worked under circumstances because it was felt that you could do anything to domestic helpers because they have no alternatives, so you’ll get away with it. Who is going to challenge the head of a company and say that he should be found guilty of sexual abuse? Not only would the individual domestic helper lose their job, but nobody would listen to them. Those days are rapidly coming to an end,” Samuda said at the function held at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal’s office.

The JHWU Manual for Household Workers and Employers in Jamaica is intended to raise awareness of domestic workers, employers, the community, law enforcement agencies, and legislators on the rights and importance of the sector in Jamaica.

The public service announcement campaigns — ‘Rights and Responsibilities for the Household Worker Sector’ and ‘Sexual Harassment in the Domestic Workplace’ — are expected to highlight the entitlements and importance of domestic workers.

Pryce said she was pleased with the launch of the manual. She described it as a tool which should be used by employers and employees as “it is not a one-sided thing”.

At the same time, she expressed concern about the increasing number of household workers who are experiencing sexual harassment.

“Sexual harassment is getting more and more, especially in COVID-19. Before COVID-19 it was up for a while, and then it went down, but since COVID-19 it has been increasing. We have had so many complaints in recent times. We are aware that the reports of sexual harassment of domestic workers seldom reach the police, much less the public. Instead, they are relegated to counselling sessions at our union,” she said.

A graduation ceremony was also held after the launch for 22 of 25 household workers who participated in the newly developed Household Worker Training Institute.