This special edition of our newsletter celebrates five years of HomeNet International (HNI) and the journey we have taken together. From our founding to becoming an independent, member-led global network, HNI has worked to ensure that home-based workers are visible, recognized, and heard. Guided by a clear strategy and democratic governance, we have built a strong collective voice that connects workers across regions, strengthens solidarity, and drives change with governments and employers worldwide. Since our first virtual Congress in 2021 and our in-person Congress in 2023, our network has continued to grow—deepening alliances and creating a dynamic space for connection, knowledge sharing, and collective action.

Throughout the year, home-based worker leaders and affiliates across regions actively engaged in global policy spaces, advocacy campaigns, research, and capacity-building initiatives, bringing the voices and demands of millions of home-based workers to the forefront. From participation in major international forums and the launch of our Advocacy Toolkit to regional achievements, climate and supply-chain research, and powerful grassroots organizing, this edition reflects a year of collective action to advance recognition, rights, and decent work for home-based workers worldwide.

Discover how HNI and affiliates are advancing the global campaign for the ratification of ILO C177. We share the launch of our new Campaign and Advocacy Toolkit — a practical resource to empower home-based worker leaders with strategies, lessons, and tools for stronger advocacy. With Home-Based Workers Day around the corner, this newsletter highlights our collective efforts to celebrate workers’ contributions and push for rights, recognition, and decent work worldwide.

We are proud to share highlights from HomeNet International’s active participation at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) from June 2-13, 2025. Our delegation of six home-based worker leaders from all five regions actively participated across three key committees—on promoting transitions toward formality, decent work in the platform economy, and biological hazards—ensuring the voices of millions of informal economy workers were heard globally.

On March 10, 2025, in honor of International Women’s Day, the HomeNet International (HNI) Gender Committee held its first discussion at NGO CSW69 through a parallel event titled “Our Home, Our Workplace: Women Home-Based Workers and Workplace Violence.” This session highlighted the often-overlooked experiences of women who balance their roles as caregivers and workers from home. We addressed the various forms of violence these women face, including unfair treatment by subcontractors and domestic violence. These challenges are made worse by the heavy burden of care work they carry, showing the urgent need for policies that support those who work from home.

As we approach the end of the year, let us recognize that it is our unity and perseverance that will help us achieve our goals. By standing together, we can amplify our voices and strengthen our efforts for the rights of home-based workers. Let’s carry this momentum forward into the new year, working hand in hand to create a brighter future where home-based workers rights are respected and voices heard.

This October marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of HNI’s global campaign, “Home-based Workers United Towards ILO C177, Labour Rights, Social Protection, and Decent Work.” Participating organisations are making significant strides in advocating for home-based workers’ rights and we are excited to share some of their updates.

In June, we commemorated the anniversary of the adoption of ILO C177, the Home Work Convention, on June 20, 1996. This milestone marked a significant step towards promoting and protecting the rights of home-based workers across the world. However, 28 years on, the reality is that too few countries have ratified the Convention, and many workers have not realised their rights.

Throughout the month of March, HNI has participated on global platforms such as the NGO CSW68 Forum, our Gender Committee led the way in launching our first study on Gender and Home-based Work, and we highlighted the stories of resilient home-based worker leaders who are fighting for their rights and empowerment.

2023 was a year full of milestones for HomeNet International. We held our first-ever in-person Congress, elected the first HNI Executive Committee, launched our first global campaign and began developing our first strategic plan.