Migrant women domestic workers face various forms of discrimination on grounds of nationality and gender and in relation to their work experiences of unpaid overtime, low wages, and restrictions on personal freedom. Many are undocumented, engaged in unregulated work and lacking knowledge about their working or civil rights. The employment of migrant women as domestic workers is still an issue in Czechia. This is partly due to the difficulties with work/life balance and care arrangements, which is a result of the institutional framework of the family that reflects traditional gender stereotyped attitudes and practice in the division of household work and care in families, and employment policy that reflects the unavailability of part-time and flexible working arrangements and expensive or unavailable childcare services. This situation results in a heavy double burden for women, who then seek affordable services or assistance with childcare and household work. However, in employing migrant women as cheap labour, families are reproducing gender inequality both inside the family and globally between groups of women. Migrant domestic workers form part of the informal economy due to their undocumented status and due to the unregulated nature of the work. The women face various forms of discrimination on the grounds of gender or racial or ethnic origin, and it can be also on the grounds of unregulated work that often includes excessive working hours, low wages, and restrictions in personal freedom.

The project advocated for equal opportunities for migrant women domestic workers, for improvement in their working conditions and often difficult position in society. The project focused on:

1. Migrant women domestic workers in providing direct counselling and workshops
2. Employers in promoting standards for fair working conditions
3. The general public in raising awareness through a communication campaign
4. Policy makers in seeking their support to put in place the legal conditions necessary

Research was carried out on the situation and experience of migrant women domestic workers to develop a knowledge base to inform the change needed. The project employed a multidimensional concept of poverty. It took account of income deprivation, as well as entrapment of migrant women domestic workers, where this work is part of the shadow economy with no formal protection or standards for working conditions. The aim was to enhance quality employment conditions, access to quality supports, and inclusion through better incomes and working conditions for these workers.

The project included a broad range of activities including:

• A unique communication strategy
• Innovation in setting standards in the employment of migrant domestic workers
• Legal and social counselling to migrant women
• Political advocacy to ratify the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers