Outsourcing and Domestic Cleaning Services: Insights from Clients and Domestic Workers in South Africa

The landscape of paid domestic work in South Africa is transforming, with a surge in professional domestic cleaning service providers. This research examines the role of outsourced domestic cleaning service providers in shaping the domestic work sector in South Africa. Through qualitative interviews with clients and domestic workers, the study explores the advantages and disadvantages of outsourced domestic cleaning services. The findings highlight advantages such as access to professionally trained workers and increased flexibility for clients but also reveal potential disadvantages, including concerns about trust and the well-being of domestic workers. For domestic workers, outsourced domestic cleaning services provide access to employment, opportunities for vocational training, and teamwork that makes the job less isolating. However, the added layers of bureaucracy do not improve the working conditions or the well-being of domestic workers. This study contributes to understanding the complex and evolving nature of paid domestic work in South Africa and the implications of the growing trend of outsourced domestic cleaning services for both clients and domestic workers.