Determinants of domestic workers’ wages in Morogoro Municipal Council, Tanzania A case study of the domestic workers’ empowerment project

Abstract

Domestic workers play a significant role in the global labour market. In the world over, there 
are approximately 75.6 million domestic workers, with Africa accounting for about 5.2 
million. In Tanzania, the number of domestic workers has increased to approximately 
1,728,228. Unfortunately, these important workers face numerous challenges, including low 
wages. These persistent challenges necessitate an investigation into the factors that 
determine the wages of domestic workers. The study was conducted in the Morogoro, a 
region in Tanzania experiencing rapid growth, where a rising demand for domestic workers 
has led various development organisations to advocate for their rights. Using a descriptive 
cross-sectional design, 134 respondents were confined in the study through convenience 
sampling, alongside 12 key informants chosen purposively. Data were collected through a 
survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Statistical analyses, including multiple 
linear regression, assessed the impact of several predictors on wages. The analysis indicated 
that the age of domestic workers, household size, and average working hours significantly 
predicted wage levels (p < 0.05). The mean monthly wage was determined to be TZS 49,696, 
revealing that many domestic workers earn below the government-mandated minimum 
wage of TZS 60,000, which applies to non-diplomat employees. It was concluded that age, 
household size, and working hours are key determinants of domestic workers’ wages. 
Additionally, factors such as marital status, education level, and employers’ occupations were 
found to be significantly associated with wage levels (p < 0.05).