The story of Tarikua, one of the beneficiaries of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions’ (CETU) project aimed at promoting decent domestic work in Ethiopia, and defending the rights of Domestic Workers.
"I have five siblings (4 brothers and a sister). When I was a kid, my father died and my mother had lots of problems raising us on her main income source of farming. When I was 12 years old, I decided to leave my family and my village in Soddo, to help them economically and
lighten my mother’s duties.
I was hired as a full-time domestic worker in Shashemane, Oromia region, without a proper salary, contract or rights. I decided to move again after the husband of my employer began to abuse me physically. At that time, I was employed through a broker in Shekiso as a full-time domestic worker, but my salary was only 30 Birr per month. It was not enough to support me let alone help my family. I understood that I needed to reach a better level of education to improve my life.
I moved again to Hawassa. There I faced many difficulties, including divorce and sickness. My employers and neighbours looked down on me as a domestic worker and did not consider me as a human being or respect my human rights. I also faced economic, social, psychological and moral challenges. However, I joined Fitih “Justice” Domestic Worker (DW) Association in Sidama Region last year. Through the support of this project and the DW Association, I had the opportunity to follow training on the rights of DWs, and life skills.
Before receiving the training and being a member of the Association, I lacked self-confidence and self-esteem. The project and the Association helped me give value to myself, developed my self-confidence and self-esteem, and increased my bargaining and negotiation capacity.
Currently, I am engaged in making Injera and washing clothes as a part-time Domestic Worker. My life is like a river, always moving on. Even if life keeps challenging me, I am hopeful. Since I joined Sidama Region Fitih Domestic Workers’ Association, I keep looking for a better future. I am still in training, but my next step is to open a restaurant and to move on further."
