My 16 Year Journey as a Domestic Worker From Being Undervalued to Demanding Respect By Floribelle

For me, as someone who has worked as a domestic worker for 16 years, this is not just a job, it is a life I have lived, a journey I have carried, and a reality I continue to witness every single day.

In all those years, across different homes and places, I have seen how domestic work is often viewed. Many people still see us as belonging to the lower level of work, as if what we do is less important, less valuable, or less deserving of respect. It is a quiet kind of judgment, sometimes unspoken, but deeply felt. And over time, it can make you question your worth.

But I have also seen the truth.

I have seen how much trust is placed in us. We are given access to people’s homes, their personal spaces, their families, their children. We clean, we organize, we care, we give our time and energy to make sure everything runs smoothly. We are there in the early mornings and late evenings, doing the work that allows others to focus on their own responsibilities, their careers, and their lives.

Without domestic workers, many households would struggle to function the way they do.

Behind every clean home, every well-prepared meal, every cared-for child, there is a worker whose effort often goes unnoticed. We are part of the foundation that supports everyday life, yet we are rarely recognized as such.

That is why I believe there needs to be a deeper and broader understanding, one that sees all types of work as equal in dignity. No job should be placed above another when all work contributes to society in meaningful ways. Respect should not depend on the title of a job, but on the humanity of the person doing it.

Domestic workers deserve to be seen not as “less,” but as essential.

We deserve fair treatment, proper recognition, and the same rights that other workers are given. We deserve fair wages that reflect the value of our work, reasonable hours that allow us to rest, and protection that ensures our safety and well-being. We deserve to be treated with kindness, with respect, and with understanding.

Because behind every domestic worker is a person with dreams, responsibilities, and sacrifices. Many of us work far from our families, carrying the weight of providing for loved ones back home. We miss important moments. We endure loneliness. We push through challenges because we believe in building a better future, not just for ourselves, but for those we care about.

And through it all, we continue to give our best. We show up. We work hard. We remain strong. Not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. But strength should not mean silence. Hard work should not mean invisibility. Sacrifice should not mean being undervalued.

Domestic workers should be given proper recognition, not just in words, but in action. We should be granted the dignity and rights that every human being deserves. We should be seen, heard, and respected.

Because at the end of the day, this is not just about work. It is about dignity. It is about equality. It is about recognizing that every role, no matter where it stands, holds value.

And after 16 years, I can say this with certainty, we are not less. We have always been essential. Now it is time the world truly sees it.

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