The government of Côte d’Ivoire has strongly affirmed its dedication to the professionalization and formalization of domestic work, acknowledging this sector’s vital contribution to the national economy and the daily functioning of countless households across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Social Protection, and Professional Training, Maurice Grah, the sub-director of Social Security Studies and Development, reiterated this pledge on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Abidjan-Cocody. His remarks were made during the inaugural DOMEX Awards, an event strategically held to coincide with the International Domestic Workers’ Day.

The DOMEX Awards 2026, conceived by Aurée Services and the Ivorian Association of Private Employment Agencies (AIAEP), aim to bolster national initiatives for professionalizing and formalizing the domestic sector. This aligns perfectly with the principles of decent work championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ceremony also commemorated the 15th anniversary of ILO Convention No. 189, which became effective in Côte d’Ivoire in 2026, following its ratification in April 2025.

“For an extended period, domestic work remained largely unrecognized and predominantly informal, leaving numerous workers vulnerable to precarious conditions and without essential social protection,” Maurice Grah emphasized during the event.

He further highlighted that the Ivorian government has made decent work, social inclusion, and the expansion of social protection national priorities. This commitment is clearly demonstrated through the ratification of Convention No. 189, which now guarantees domestic workers the same fundamental rights as other employees.

With crucial support from the ILO and various social partners, several significant actions have already been implemented. These include a comprehensive national study on the sector in 2024, the development of ten training and certification frameworks in 2025, and ongoing efforts towards establishing a specific regulatory framework. This framework is set to encompass a standard contract, a professional classification system, and a salary scale, all designed to uphold the principles of decent work.

According to the representative of Minister Adama Kamara, these proactive initiatives clearly reflect the government’s unwavering resolve to sustainably improve the living and working conditions for all stakeholders in this sector.

Noëlie Kotty, the national coordinator for the AGRIDOM project, speaking on behalf of the ILO country director, commended the ratification of Convention No. 189 and the tangible progress achieved in formalizing the sector. She underscored that the DOMEX Awards present a significant opportunity to honor the invaluable contributions of domestic workers while actively promoting and safeguarding their rights.

Annick Désirée Dogba, founder and president of the Association of Domestic Workers, passionately advocated for improved working conditions for domestic employees. “We earnestly desire for our situation to change, as we continue to face numerous difficulties within this environment,” she stated.

This inaugural edition of the DOMEX Awards saw a diverse gathering, including representatives from the CGECI, various trade unions such as DIGNITÉ, private employment agencies, and a substantial number of domestic workers themselves.