Invisible Workforce

Nannies, housecleaners, caregivers–they are sometimes called the world's most invisible workforce. In the US alone, it's estimated that more than 2 million people do this type of work. Most are women and many are immigrants. And pressure is growing to address their working conditions.

May 09, 2014

After 10 years in the US working as a nanny, Blanca is finally able to reunite with her own son, Guido. But moving him to the States comes with its share of hurdles here and back home in Paraguay.

Conflict & Justice

The US has long worked to prevent diplomats from mistreating household workers

PRI's The World

December 20, 2013

The case of an Indian diplomat accused of mistreating her housekeeper may not be as rare as you might expect. US officials have a program to educate domestic workers from abroad on their rights, to prevent such abuse.

Conflict & Justice

Immigrant Domestic Workers Test New Ways to Settle Disputes

PRI's The World

May 17, 2013

Domestic workers are sometimes called the world's largest "invisible" workforce. This final story in our series is from Boston, where domestic workers and their employers are testing new ways to settle disputes that might not involve a courtroom.

Business

She's an organizer of America's domestic workers — and, now, a certified 'genius'

PRI's The World

September 18, 2014

Ai-jen Poo, the director of National Domestic Workers Alliance, just won a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the "genius grant." She describes how it feels to win the prestigious award and how it might affect her work with America's "visible invisible" domestic workers.

Conflict & Justice

Global Push to Improve Labor Conditions for Cleaners, Maids, and Nannies

PRI's The World

May 17, 2013

Nisha Varia, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, talks with anchor Marco Werman about the growing movement to improve labor conditions for "the help" worldwide.

Business, Economics and Jobs

Immigrant Domestic Workers Face Tough Challenges in a Push for Better Conditions

PRI's The World

May 16, 2013

Immigrant domestic workers, nannies, housecleaners, and caregivers, are sometimes called the world's largest invisible workforce. Odette Yousef, of WBEZ in Chicago, reports on nationwide efforts to improve employment conditions.

Conflict & Justice

An Undocumented Immigrant Caregiver Shares Her Story

PRI's The World

May 15, 2013

Nannies, house cleaners, caregivers. In the US it's estimated that more than 2 million people do this type of work. Most are women, many are immigrants. As part of our Global Nation coverage, Monica Campbell has our first piece about domestic workers.