Domestic Work Is a Decent Job and It Is Time the World Treats It That Way By Janice Benitez
I started my journey as a domestic worker in August 2025, stepping into a profession that carries enormous responsibility and yet is so often undervalued by the wider world. From early on, I recognised something important: this is a decent job. Not a lesser one. Not a temporary fix. A profession deserving of the same respect given to any other honest work.
That is exactly the message I want to share. I want the world to know that domestic work is a decent job, and that the people who do it deserve to be treated accordingly, with dignity, with rights, and with the legal protections that every worker in any field should be able to count on.
On my hardest days, prayer is what holds me steady. I also draw strength from my family, my faith, my fellow domestic workers, my knowledge of my rights, and my belief in a better future. I do not carry this alone. The community of domestic workers around me, including the community that VODW has helped to build, is a genuine source of comfort and solidarity.
I am moderately hopeful that things will improve, a carefully considered rating that reflects my honest assessment of the pace of change. The world's understanding of domestic worker dignity and value, I rate low, because I know how much further there is to go. And I am willing to take that journey.
When it comes to the rights that must be restored, my answer is comprehensive. All four of the rights VODW campaigns for need to come back. The right to change employer without restrictions. The right to renew the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa. The right to stay and settle in the country. And the right to apply for British Citizenship. I hold all of these as the most urgent, and I identify the loss of every single one as the most harmful outcome. That word, all, carries real weight. When I name every right as essential, it reflects a life in which each of those rights has a direct impact on my daily experience.
The right to change employer without restrictions means never being trapped with someone who mistreats me. The right to renew the visa means continuity rather than crisis every year. The right to settlement means a future that belongs to me. The right to citizenship means full belonging in the country I have served.
I believe the government, workers' unions, NGOs, and the public all have a responsibility here. I ask them to speak up, to make laws, and to raise awareness. I ask for everyone to be involved because this is not a niche issue. It is a human rights issue.
If these rights were restored, I would feel very happy. That happiness would not be trivial. It would be the relief of a person who has been carrying uncertainty and finally sets it down. VODW is fighting so that workers like me do not have to carry it at all. My voice, clear and principled from the very beginning of my journey in this work, is a vital part of that fight.
Join Us in Supporting Migrant Domestic Workers Escaping Abuse
Migrant domestic workers who have fled abusive employment urgently need your help. They’ve left behind exploitation and are taking brave steps toward safety—but they need support for basic needs like shelter, food, clothing, and counseling.
"With your donation, we can provide immediate relief and a pathway to rebuilding lives in dignity and safety."
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us provide essentials, temporary housing, job training, and emotional support. Together, we can offer a lifeline to those starting over.
Donate today to make an impact and be a part of their journey to freedom, recovery, and empowerment.
Comments