Domestic workers and social security: What must they do to get by?

This research paper focuses in the analysis of the factors affecting the coverage of social security of domestic workers in the branch of old-age benefits in El Salvador. It analyses barriers of provision as well as barriers in accessing of social security. The research relies on author’s calculations with national surveys and primary information from interviews with domestic workers and stakeholders. The investigation concludes that barriers affects domestic workers in different degrees, according to their particular contexts. Besides, the research paper discusses the ambiguous role of the government in provisioning social security. Regarding this, the paper states that a broad social movement might be helpful to improve labor standards for domestic workers. Finally, the research paper holds that the lack of coverage of current domestic workers will create greater pressure on intergenerational arrangements in the context of an aging population.