An estimated one in ten women in Chile are employed as domestic workers. By delegating the responsibilities of housekeeping and caregiving, this occupation has contributed significantly to the integration of women to the workforce. However, despite being rooted in colonial history and its importance for Chilean society, domestic workers were only granted equal labor rights in 2014 (e.g. being able to work less than 12 hours per day). These rights have been a reality for the rest of the Chilean workforce since 1924.


The integration of domestic workers into Chilean regulatory laws could be considered their first connection with Decent Work, a concept that specifies the role of decent employment and job characteristics in the satisfaction and well-being of workers. However, domestic workers remain marginalized and invisible, affecting their mental health and possibilities for social mobility. Through this study, our research aims to understand how stigmatization derived from one's job can influence the ability of a domestic worker to look for better opportunities and demand fair rights. By considering work volition, defined as the perceived freedom to make career choices despite external constraints, we examine how psychological barriers derived from social prejudice can perpetuate dynamics of invisibility and marginalization in the workplace.


This presentation will introduce initial findings of semi-structured interviews and focus groups undertaken with domestic workers in Chile, who will be contacted through their union representatives. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we develop a conceptual framework that will advance the comprehension of this phenomenon, support the construction of more comprehensive regulations that promote decent work, and encourage the development of systems that offer opportunities for the individual development and empowerment of these workers.