The Ivorian government has renewed its dedication to formalizing the domestic employment sector, a cornerstone of the national economy and household operations across Côte d’Ivoire. On June 16, 2026, in Abidjan-Cocody, Maurice Grah, Deputy Director of Studies and Development at the Social Security Department, reiterated this pledge during the inaugural DOMEX Awards ceremony, held alongside the International Domestic Workers’ Day.

Organized by Aurée Services and the Ivorian Association of Private Employment Agencies (AIAEP), the DOMEX Awards 2026 aim to bolster national efforts in professionalizing and formalizing domestic work, aligning with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) decent work standards. The event also commemorated the 15th anniversary of ILO Convention No. 189, which Côte d’Ivoire ratified in April 2025 and began implementing in 2026.

« For far too long, domestic work has remained undervalued and largely informal, leaving many workers vulnerable to instability and lacking social protections, » Maurice Grah emphasized.

He underscored the government’s focus on decent work, social inclusion, and expanding social security coverage. This commitment led to the ratification of Convention No. 189, ensuring domestic workers now enjoy the same fundamental rights as other employees.

With support from the ILO and social partners, significant strides have been made, including a 2024 national study on the sector, the development of ten training and certification frameworks in 2025, and ongoing efforts to adopt a dedicated regulatory framework. This framework will include standardized contracts, professional classifications, and salary scales consistent with decent work principles.

According to Adama Kamara, the minister’s representative, these initiatives reflect the government’s determination to enhance the living and working conditions of domestic workers sustainably.

Noëlie Kotty, ILO Country Director and National Coordinator of the AGRIDOM project, praised the ratification of Convention No. 189 and progress in formalizing the sector. She highlighted the DOMEX Awards as a pivotal moment to celebrate the contributions of domestic workers and advocate for their rights.

Annick Désirée Dogba, founder and president of the Domestic Workers’ Association, echoed these sentiments, calling for urgent improvements: « We hope our situation changes, as many of us still face significant challenges in this field, » she stated.

The first DOMEX Awards brought together representatives from the General Confederation of Enterprises of Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI), labor unions such as DIGNITÉ, private employment agencies, and numerous domestic workers.