Domestic workers endure harsh realities as South Africa’s economy stagnates: Sweepsouth

THE recently released 8th annual Sweep-South Report on Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions paints a troubling picture of the lives of domestic workers in South Africa.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

The report, based on over 5 000 responses collected nationwide, reveals that the dramatic stall in the country’s economic growth is having a profound ripple effect on this critical workforce, predominantly made up of women aged 26 to 41.

According to CEO Lourandi Kriel, South Africa's economy has only managed a growth of 0.7% over the last decade, a stagnation that has forced consumers to reconsider their spending power.

“The economic conditions have a ripple effect on domestic workers in that when an economy doesn't grow, you know consumers have either the same or less share of wallet and they need to decide how they're going to use their disposable income,’ she said.

Sweepsouth is a South African on-demand online platform for domestic cleaning services, garden maintenance, business cleaning and other home services.

Kriel said the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, resulting in a significant decline in employment opportunities within the domestic sector.

Pre-COVID, there were approximately 1.2 million job opportunities; this figure has now plummeted to just over 800 000.