Formalising the informal : a qualitative case study of the formalisation of domestic work in Vietnam

Abstract: Domestic workers are an essential part of Vietnam’s urban labour market. However, many are in informal employment, which means they lack needed legal and social protections. In 2014, legal protections were introduced to formalise domestic work in Vietnam. This study aims to increase understanding of the formalisation process of domestic workers in Vietnam. A framework that conceptualises formalisation as a continuum was applied to better understand how formalisation could help to move domestic workers from informal to formal work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with domestic workers, employers and key informants in Ho Chi Minh City to explore which practices and perceptions among both domestic workers and employers in Vietnam may contribute to formalisation, or the continuous reproduction of informality. Despite existing regulations, these findings indicate a high level of informality among domestic workers in Vietnam, largely driven by a lack of social insurance and written employment contracts. It can also be shown that the recruitment of domestic workers through informal networks contributes to a personalised employment relationship. While a legal framework is a precondition for formalisation, the impact of regulations on the formalisation of domestic workers in Vietnam has so far been limited.