Nannies’ labour rights: Taking their first steps towards their goals

Daji Kokhreidze was 39 years old when she first thought about becoming a nanny. After graduating from the Faculty of Pedagogy and Methodology, she taught a piano class at a music studio for 15 years. She enthusiastically did her favourite job but with little pay, which is why she decided to change her profession.

“Some acquaintances told me that there was a family looking for a nanny for their 2-month-old baby. Despite the fact that they were very nice people, it was still difficult for me at first. I already had a child [of my own], but I had no experience of being a nanny,” recalls Daji, who is now taking care of her seventh child as a nanny. “When the little one turns 3 years old, my work is done. Of course, that moment is also difficult. That is why nannying, along with [being a big] responsibility, is also emotionally charged work.”

Daji started her current job in March with the help of the employment service provided by the Association of Nannies and Domestic Workers. Two years ago, a nanny she knew told her about the Association and invited her to a meeting. After hearing about the experiences of other women at that first meeting, Daji became actively involved in the Association’s activities: “At the time, I didn’t know anything about my labour rights, but joining this association raised my awareness and gave me new skills.”

The Employment Service was introduced by the Association of Nannies and Domestic Workers in cooperation with and through the support of UN Women. To use the service, both the nanny and the potential employer fill in a special form online via the Association’s website. The system takes into account the applicants’ locations and other needs and helps both parties easily find the best match for them. In accordance with international standards, the service fee is paid not by the nanny but by the employer. The Association’s participation significantly increases the level of trust. The contract developed by the Association also plays a special role in this process, creating guaranteed labour rights for workers.

Daji, who has 16 years of experience, first signed this contract when she started her most recent job. She says that now her salary, schedule, days off, vacation time and other employment details are spelled out in writing, which protects both her and her employer from awkward moments or misunderstandings.

“Working without a contract, based only on a verbal agreement, means that you do not have a fixed remuneration system or legal and social guarantees, and you cannot apply to the labour inspectorate,” Daji explains. “When you sign a contract, you feel much more protected. Moreover, you know that after the term expires, the conditions will be reviewed and, if both parties wish, this labour relationship will continue.”

In Georgia, domestic work is informal work and therefore is not recognized by local legislation. It is also noteworthy that the country has not ratified the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189). Accordingly, domestic workers, most of whom are women, do not enjoy the basic rights that are provided for by local labour legislation.

To change the current reality, UN Women is actively collaborating with the Association of Nannies and Domestic Workers, which took its first steps back in 2020. Since then, the organization has spearheaded the development of a written employment contract for nannies and has provided consultations to workers on their labour rights. The Association was legally established in 2023, within the framework of the cooperation with UN Women. In June 2025, the Association also formed the Labour Union of Domestic and Care Workers, one of the co-founders of which is Daji Kokhreidze.

“I really want our work to be formalized and become a separate specialty, recognized by the State,” Daji says. “There is still a long way to go towards this goal, but we must get there.”

The cooperation between UN Women and the Association of Nannies and Domestic Workers is part of the UN Women project “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus”. The project is implemented with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).