Have your say : Does it matter if a domestic worker is below 18 years of age?

Most baby sitters or domestic workers are school drop-outs especially at primary level or orphans who opt for this kind of job so as to attain food and shelter. At a tender age some of these girls and boys are physically, psychologically and sexually abused and they end up not reporting the abuser due to fear or being naïve. The isolation and imbalance between the employer and the domestic worker, inability to seek help and financial pressure they are highly abused and they fear that they will lose their job. However, if the domestic workers were above the age of eighteen the abuse would probably be controlled hence curbing down on vulnerability and allowing them to exercise their rights. Several people had a say on the issue. Donocian Niyosenga (Businessman) The age is not the issue but the profession itself is highly undermined. Even if the domestic worker is in their late twenties, they are still abused. Devota Musabimana (TIGO Sales person) Employment of adolescents should be entirely discouraged. Since we have the Nine Year Basic Education project (9YBE), all children below the age of 18 are not supposed to be working but in school. Monique Mukarukundo Domestic workers should be above eighteen years old because this kind of employment is composed of extremely hard and never ending tasks. Yet most times someone below the age of eighteen is not strong enough thus developing complications such as back pains.Emile Bukyibaruta (Photocopier Attendant)Someone below eighteen years of age cannot make the right decisions about life therefore working as a domestic worker has to be greatly discouraged so as to avoid exploitation of rights. Innocent Imaniraguha (Construction worker) Domestic workers’ rights are often abused by their employers therefore it’s not about the age but it would be better if they also have an organization that can represent them in order for them to air out their grievances. Jean d’Arc Zambazamaria (Shop Attendant) It’s not about the age; if someone has energy to work then age doesn’t matter. Ends

Lifestyle

Have your say : Does it matter if a domestic worker is below 18 years of age?