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South Africa's Domestic Workers Struggle During Coronavirus Lockdown

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - Like millions of South Africans, Georgina Maepa is
   confined at home, as her nation tries to stop the spread of the
   coronavirus.

   But that is cold comfort for her.

   Under the rules of the lockdown, the 53-year-old mother of four can't
   leave home for her job cleaning other people's homes for about $80 a
   month. Like the majority of domestic workers, she doesn't have a formal
   contract.

   And so, as the nation prepared last month to lock down for 21 days,
   Maepa's employers' words were final: No work, no pay.

   "They say they haven't got money," Maepa said. "If I want a lot of
   money, then I must look for another job. I'm just doing piece jobs,
   because there is no job now. We're suffering to get another job."

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