JHWU Marks 35 Years of Advocacy, Empowerment and Progress

The Jamaica Household Workers Union (JHWU) marked its 35th anniversary with a thanksgiving service at Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God in Kingston on Sunday (March 15), celebrating decades of advocacy, empowerment, and progress for domestic workers across the island.

The service, held under the theme ‘35 Years of Dignity, Strength and Solidarity’, highlighted the union’s achievements and its ongoing work on behalf of household workers.

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, highlighted the union’s transformative role in elevating domestic work from an informal and vulnerable occupation to a recognised and valued sector.

In his remarks delivered during the service by Custos Rotulorum for St. Andrew, Hon. Ian Forbes, the Governor-General underscored that the organisation’s 35-year journey reflects “a legacy of structural change, intellectual leadership, and unrelenting advocacy”.

He noted that the union has not only improved working conditions but also contributed significantly to gender equity by empowering thousands of women with economic security.

“The Jamaica Household Workers Union has reshaped the terrain of domestic work in Jamaica and demonstrated… that organised labour remains one of the most potent instruments of social transformation,” the Governor General stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., representing Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, commended the union for its unwavering advocacy and far reaching international impact.

“This service is a celebration of an organisation, a celebration of our people whose labour has sustained families, strengthened communities, and supported the very fabric of this nation,” he said.

Minister Charles also highlighted the global recognition of the union’s leadership, noting that Jamaica continues to be strongly represented on the international stage through the work of its advocates.

He emphasised that while significant gains have been made, continued focus is required on issues such as fair compensation, social security coverage, occupational safety, and access to training.

The Minister added that respect for domestic workers must be reflected, not only in policy but also in everyday attitudes and practices.

“It must live in our homes. It must live in our attitudes. It must be expressed in the way we value your work every single day,” Mr. Charles declared.

President of the JHWU, Elaine Duncan, outlined the organisation’s evolution since its establishment in 1991, noting that it became a registered trade union in 2013 and has since expanded to more than 8,000 members across 14 chapters islandwide.

She highlighted that the union has been instrumental in securing improvements in wages, working conditions, and labour protections, while also advancing public education and professional development for domestic workers.

“Domestic workers play a critical, yet often under-recognised role in supporting households and the broader economy,” Ms. Duncan said, adding that the union remains committed to ensuring fair treatment, dignity and respect for all workers in the sector.