Guarantee Written Contracts for Domestic Workers

Domestic work is real work, but it remains one of the least protected forms of employment in practice. Without a written contract, a domestic worker has no documented proof of their agreed salary, working hours, days off, or notice period — which means disputes almost always come down to one person's word against another's, and the worker is rarely in the stronger position.

Kenya's labor laws already provide a framework for this, but enforcement in private households is minimal, and many employers and employees alike are simply unaware a written contract is expected. This is not about creating new bureaucracy — it is about making sure an existing right is actually exercised.

We are calling on the Ministry of Labour to launch a public awareness campaign on the legal requirement for written domestic work contracts, provide a free simple template that both parties can use, and set up an accessible complaint channel specifically for domestic workers who are denied one.