Lived realities of domestic workers within the South African labour legislative context : a qualitative study
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Domestic work is a global phenomenon. In South Africa it is recognised as one of the oldest and most common forms of labour for black women. Taking into consideration the entrenched socialisation patterns and lack of career choices in this sector, these women have very little personal choice. In order to redress imbalances in their employment relationships, Sectoral Determination 7 was proclaimed in 2002, stipulating minimum wages and employment standards for this sector. This transformative piece of legislation evolved over time, and the full implications are still unknown. This article reflects on the need to interpret the lived realities of domestic workers within the South African labour legislative context. Using the interpretivist paradigm, with phenomenology as the theoretical underpinning, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants to explore their work life cycle, the empowerment consequences of legislation and the building of positive employment relationships within the sector. The recruitment of participants, demarcation of the study, data collection methods used, and the analysis and reporting of data is examined, as well as the role of the researcher. The study provides a voice to the participants which highlights the needs of this vulnerable group of workers and creates an awareness of the need to facilitate effective employment relations within the South African labour market, and may stimulate scholarly debate.
Author: Christel Marais
Language: English
Topic: Labor Law and Work Dynamics
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Research Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W130543953