A joint statement by HomeNet International, International Alliance of Waste Pickers, International Domestic Workers Federation, StreetNet International, and WIEGO — March 26, 2026
Organizations representing workers in informal employment – including home-based workers, waste pickers, street vendors and domestic workers, including migrant workers – recognize the social and solidarity economy (SSE) as a critical pathway to improving livelihoods, strengthening collective organization and advancing decent work. For home-based workers in particular, SSE models are essential in addressing isolation, invisibility and lack of legal recognition, while enabling access to markets, fairer income and collective voice. This is especially important given that women are disproportionately represented in home-based work due to structural inequalities, including limited access to formal employment opportunities and persistent gender and cultural biases.
In this joint statement, HomeNet International, together with the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, the International Domestic Workers Federation, StreetNet International and WIEGO, expresses concern that growing global uncertainty is placing renewed strain on international cooperation. At a time when multilateral efforts — including those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) — remain essential, we reaffirm the importance of strengthening the social and solidarity economy as a pathway to securing rights, recognition and decent work for home-based workers and all workers in informal employment.