Ivorian officials have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the domestic work sector into a formalized, professional field, a cornerstone of both the national economy and everyday household management.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Social Protection, and Vocational Training, Maurice Grah, Deputy Director of Social Security Studies and Development, emphasized this commitment during the inaugural DOMEX Awards ceremony on June 16, 2026, in Abidjan-Cocody. The event coincided with International Domestic Workers’ Day.

The DOMEX Awards 2026, organized by Aurée Services and the Ivorian Association of Private Employment Agencies (AIAEP), aim to accelerate the sector’s professionalization and formalization efforts. These efforts align with the decent work principles championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ceremony also commemorated the 15th anniversary of ILO Convention No. 189, which Côte d’Ivoire ratified in April 2025 and implemented in 2026.

From informality to recognition: a sector on the rise

« For too long, domestic work has been undervalued and largely informal, leaving workers vulnerable to precarity and exclusion from social protections, » Grah stated. He highlighted the government’s prioritization of decent work, social inclusion, and expanded social protections, a strategy that led to the ratification of Convention No. 189. This landmark agreement ensures domestic workers receive the same fundamental rights as other employees.

The government, with support from the ILO and social partners, has already launched several key initiatives. These include a 2024 national study on the sector, the development of ten training and certification frameworks in 2025, and ongoing efforts to establish a dedicated regulatory framework. This framework will include standardized contracts, professional classifications, and salary scales aligned with decent work principles.

According to Adama Kamara, representative of the Minister, these measures reflect the government’s determination to improve the living and working conditions of domestic workers sustainably.

Celebrating progress and advocating for change

Noëlie Kotty, ILO Country Director and National Coordinator of the AGRIDOM project, praised Côte d’Ivoire’s ratification of Convention No. 189 and progress in formalizing the sector. She described the DOMEX Awards as a pivotal moment to recognize the contributions of domestic workers and promote their rights.

Annick Désirée Dogba, Founder and President of the Domestic Workers’ Association, echoed this sentiment. « We need real change in this sector, » she said. « Workers still face enormous challenges, and our conditions must improve. »

The inaugural DOMEX Awards brought together representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade unions such as DIGNITÉ, private employment agencies, and domestic workers themselves, fostering dialogue and collaboration toward a more equitable sector.