Protection of domestic workers under Nigerian law: Gleaning lessons from ILO, Ghana, South Africa, and India

In recognition of their vulnerability and the need to protect domestic servants as well as designate their rights, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted the ILO Domestic Workers Convention No. 189 of 2011. The Convention creates both human and labour rights for this category of workers, and the same has been adopted by several ILO members, including South Africa (SA) and Ghana. Although Nigeria is a member of ILO, it is yet to adopt the Convention and its existing labour legal regime neither creates rights nor affords domestic workers ample protection. Hence, domestic workers in Nigeria are exposed to various labour exploitations. This paper adopts a comparative approach in examining the legal and institutional frameworks on the protection of domestic workers in Nigeria as well as their rights under Nigerian law. It interrogates the extent of Nigeria's conformity to ILO standards and recommendations on the treatment of domestic workers. It examines the state of the law in SA and Ghana vis-à-vis the ILO Convention and draws lessons for Nigeria especially, calling for the review of Nigerian labour legislation to recognise and protect the rights of domestic workers.