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Tenders are invited for Consultant - a Multi-Country Background Study: Domestic Work in Arab States. Closing Date: Sunday, 22. Jun 2025 Intervention Sector(s): Labor & Livelihoods Background: Despite progress, the Arab States region lags behind in addressing gender inequalities due to economic and political instabilities and entrenched patriarchal norms. Womens employment remains a major issue, and the region (non-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)) had the lowest female participation rate in the world at 11.7 per cent (while it is 66.2% for men) in 2024. It is now widely recognized among the womens rights advocates, development practitioners and academia that investing in the care economy is a game changer in enhancing womens labour force participation, advancing gender equality in the world of work and advancing sustainable development. Many studies from the ILO have shown that investing in care can improve working conditions for care workers, enhance skills, tackle occupational segregation, and address the unequal distribution of unpaid care work. In June 2024 the International Labour Conference adopted the Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy, calling for an urgent need for action. While more and more policy makers in the Arab States region recognize the importance of the care economy, gaps remain among the key stakeholders in terms of the levels of understanding to initiate and engage in discussions to develop adequate care polices and measures. Domestic workers, who are part of the care economy, constitute a significant part of the labour force and of the care workforce in the Arab States region and they are often international migrant workers. Recognizing the significance of domestic work in the Arab States region, measures have been taken in some countries to cover domestic workers by labour regulations and to promote decent work practices in the home. For example, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Bahrain, has developed an Employers Handbook which provides guidance in hiring a domestic worker. The Ministry of Labour, Jordan has also expressed interests in developing a similar handbook for employers in Jordan. Many countries in the region also have bilaterial labour migration agreements with countries of origin. However, challenges remain to ensure decent work for domestic workers. The ILO Regional Office for Arab States is planning to prepare a background study which will be used for peer learning and policy discussions to design and implement measures to improve the working conditions for domestic workers in the Arab States region. In this context, the ILO is seeking the services of a consultant/consulting firm to develop a background study on various aspects of domestic work. Objectives The background study aims to improve understanding on the role and positioning of domestic workers in the care economy in the Arab States region, with a view to identifying possible areas of action to improve the working conditions and promote the rights of domestic workers. Scope and Methodologies The study report is expected to present information on the role and the positioning of domestic workers in the care economy and the labour market in the Arab States region (covering Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen). The key guiding questions for the study are: What is a share of domestic workers in the care workforce or total workforce? Is the share of domestic workers expected to increase or decrease based on the demographic and other trends? How is it compare with a share of other care workers in education and health? What is the situation related to wages of domestic workers in relation to other care workers, other workers with similar qualifications, national minimum wages, average wages, and median income? What is the cost of recruiting and engaging a domestic worker? What are included in the cost (e.g. flight, visa application, staying permit, training of domestic workers, etc)? To what extent are migrant domestic workers covered by national laws or Bilaterial Labour Agreements (BLAs), and what key gaps have been identified to promote decent work for domestic workers? What are examples of changes introduced to improve the situation of domestic workers in the Arab States region? What are data gaps in terms of promoting decent work for domestic workers? Methodologies The study will mostly collect information from desk review of existing documents, surveys and administrative data. Where secondary data is not available, efforts should be made to collect primary information by interviewing key respondents. Key Outputs Detailed plan of work for developing the report, prepared with inputs from relevant ILO specialists. A draft data collection plan (framework and timeline) A final data collection plan reflecting comments and inputs from relevant ILO specialists. Draft report containing the information specified in this TOR. Updated final draft report reflecting comments and inputs from relevant ILO specialists. Timeline The assignment is expected to start as soon as possible, to complete by end August 2025. Qualifications A postgraduate degree in social sciences, humanities, laws, international development with proven experience in a gender and labour related field. At least 5 years of experience in conducting mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) research. Publication track record on a gender-related topic. Excellent communication and writing skills in English. Familiarity with international labour standards. Understanding on gender and labour issues, particularly issues related to domestic workers. Experience in the Arab States region is an advantage. Ability to carry out desk review in Arabic. Prior experience of working with international organisations strongly preferred. Tender Link : https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/international-labour-organization-0/calls/terms-reference-tor-consultant-multi-country-background-study-domestic-work-arab-states-0
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