Initiative to Combat Domestic Worker Exploitation in Mexico
In Mexico, about two million domestic workers—primarily women from impoverished communities—work in private households without adequate legal protections. Many are employed informally and lack access to benefits such as social security, paid leave, healthcare, and other basic labor rights afforded by law due to recent labor law reform.
Despite recent reforms recognizing domestic work as legitimate employment, few workers are registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute. Low enforcement and limited knowledge of labor rights among workers and employers remain major problems. This leaves domestic workers subject to exploitative conditions such as inadequate wages, verbal and physical abuse, and unlawful dismissals without severance pay.
AIR's Partnership with CACEH
This project aims to help domestic workers claim their rights by supporting the National Center for Professional Training and Leadership of Domestic Workers (CACEH). In the first phase, AIR is conducting a participatory action research study guided by a standing committee of ten women domestic workers to identify barriers, evaluate past efforts, and plan future actions.
AIR is also supporting, training, and empowering the Committee members to become leaders among their peers, advocating for their rights and driving collective action. Together with CACEH, AIR is strengthening systems that support organizing and mobilizing, legal assistance, and institutional sustainability.
In the second phase, AIR will use findings from the Committee and CACEH to develop evidence-based solutions that improve conditions for domestic workers.
