Guinea-Bissau: ANAPROMED denounces sexual harassment and violations of the rights of domestic workers

During the celebration of International Domestic Workers Day on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the National Association for the Protection of Domestic Workers (ANAPROMED) of Guinea-Bissau raised the alarm about persistent abuses in this sector.

Its president, Sene Bacai Cassamá, denounced attempts at sexual harassment, non-payment of salaries and multiple human rights violations: “We are celebrating this date in a particularly difficult context, since many members have not received a salary for several years. They are facing hunger, deprivation and a situation of abandonment which leads to a slow death.”

Cassamá pointed out that 38 domestic workers died without their rights being respected, and that 97% of domestic workers have no social protection. "There are domestic workers who continue to earn between 8,000 and 15,000 CFA francs," she said, denouncing paltry wages and unfair dismissals.

He also pointed out that 85% of general service assistants in public schools do not have a written contract and work more than eight hours a day, in violation of general labor law.

In light of this situation, ANAPROMED demands that the State of Guinea-Bissau ratify conventions 189 and 190 of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which guarantee the protection of domestic workers and the fight against violence and harassment at work.

For his part, Djibril Sana Sanhá, representing the Minister of Public Service, praised the fundamental role played by these workers in the functioning of public and private institutions, while encouraging ANAPROMED to continue its actions for the dignity and social recognition of this profession.