Millions of workers, most of them women, carry out different forms of paid employment in their homes. But, because they work behind closed doors, their work is invisible and is rarely recognised. Since the 1970s there have been organisations working with homebased workers to make them visible; fight for recognition of their rights and for improvement of their living and working conditions.
"I work 14 hours a day, every day of the week sewing garments. Last week I earned $1.70 an hour that was with my husband and two children giving me a lot of help."
Mai, Australia"I work 15 hours a day making carry bags for retail shops, with all the family working day and night we can just get enough money to pay for the rent and food."
Lita, Chile"We work as cement bags washes we are paid by the contractor for every washed bag we deliver. Recently they have been meeting with other workers and we joined the union. Now we are trying to get a law to protect us as workers and a new social security scheme."
Mirai, India"l work assembling circuit boards, and also do some packing of cards. I work much harder than workers in the factory but l get paid less and it's hard to think that things will improve."
Jean, UK"Some of us earn, 10c a piece sewing kids clothes. Our work is sold in expensive stores in Europe and USA."
Maria, Philippines"I grow fruit, and make jams. l sell it to local markets and l also work for a contractor that sells my food to big companies. I hope to keep having work so my family can survive."
Beauty, Sth. Africa
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