International Day of Education: The importance of education for domestic workers

The power of education is inarguable, equipping individuals with the basic or specific tools they need to develop and transform their lives.

International Day of Education 2024 falls on 24th January, a day designed to remind us that education should be prioritised and is not always accessible for all. 

Marking the day, UNESCO have stated that it celebrates the role of education for development, as well as highlighting the need for practical, inclusive and quality education for everyone. 

For domestic workers, the power of education and key occupational skills can have an ever-lasting impact on their career and livelihoods. 

Many travel hundreds or thousands of miles to work away from their families within another culture, making education and continued learning immensely important. 

At Housekeeping Domestics Workers Services, education for our domestic workers is paramount, and begins the moment they join the organisation. 

Our focus lies on transversal and core employability skills as well as vocational training, assisting nannies in Dubai and full-time maids in their transition from their home country to the UAE. 

To ensure a comprehensive education and well-rounded knowledge of their new role, there is a focus on a selection of impactful topics: 

Cultural Awareness 

Often entering a completely new and foreign environment, educating domestic workers on cultural awareness prepares them for the changes they will experience in their role. 

Living full-time within the home of a new family, education on their traditions and culture as well as the culture of the UAE itself, gives domestic workers the knowledge to prepare and adapt. Without this, they could struggle to understand and find adjusting difficult and uncertain. 

Rights & Responsibilities  

Another key focus is educating domestic workers about their rights, their employment rights, and their own responsibilities while working in the UAE. 

Not understanding their own rights could see a domestic worker face abuse, or unknowingly/unwillingly work in conditions that do not abide by national labour laws. Education on what they are entitles to, who to contact in an emergency and how their employment works can give workers the power to speak up in what could be challenging or difficult situations. 

In addition, clear education on their responsibilities allows domestic workers to form stronger relationships with the families they are working for, with both parties understanding the roles they play. 

Language & Communication

Housekeeping Domestics Workers Services ensures that all candidates are given language assessments to understand their abilities, before undergoing role specific training. 

Education of language can be transformative for domestic workers, with clear communication being the foundation between worker and employer. 

Even basic communication skills have a significant impact on overall performance. Those who can listen carefully express themselves coherently and are more likely to excel or successfully engage with their client, colleagues or company. 

Why Education is Important to Us

With over 7,000 domestic workers placed within our organisation, Housekeeping Domestics Workers Services have seen the impact education, training and learning can have on individuals. 

Equipping them with the tools they need to have a successful placement with a family, simple lessons can see long-term relationships built within the household. 

Ensuring each worker understands their role, their new environment and how to communicate gives both domestic workers and families the power to create a positive working relationship. 

However, for many domestic workers worldwide, this education system is not available, and this can cause issues in their rights being violated, difficulty in communication, and in some cases even human trafficking. 

This is why HDWS will continue to campaign for education, training and upskilling of domestic workers and uphold their learning model. Standing in support of International Education Day 2024, we understand that a "transformed and well-resourced education system can be a long-term preventative tool."

Housekeeping Domestics Workers Services LLC's ongoing mission is to offer fair hiring, support families in their effective engagement and relationship management, and to train and upskill every foreign domestic worker in becoming the best of what they can do. 

A recent winner of the 1st Emirates Labour Market Award - Business Services Partners Category (Domestic Workers Recruitment Agencies Subcategory), you can find all our services here.