Why Are the Women Who Care for Our Kids and Clean Our Homes Paid So Little?

Guest blog post written by Hannah Nielsen, Manager of Growth and Opportunities at The Cleaning Co-op.

What Is “Women’s Work” And Why Is It Still Devalued?

It’s no coincidence that when an industry’s workforce is primarily women, wages tend to drop. The main offenders are the “5 C’s”: caring, clerical, catering, cashiering, and cleaning.

In other words, jobs that mirror the domestic labor women have traditionally been expected to do for free.

“Over half of all female workers (56%) are employed in occupations involving the “5 Cs”… jobs that have been undervalued historically and systematically offloaded to women, particularly immigrant and racialized women.” Canadian Women’s Foundation.

In addition to being low-paid, many of these jobs are part-time and precarious, leaving workers struggling to make ends meet. 

“People who work for low wages face impossible choices—buy groceries or heat the house, keep up with bills or pay the rent on time. The result can be spiraling debt, constant anxiety and long-term health problems.” Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

A Disproportionate Impact on BIPOC and Marginalized Women

The gender wage gap is real—and it’s worse for some women than others. According to Statistics Canada, immigrant women who arrived in Canada as adults earn nearly 21% less than Canadian-born men, and Indigenous women face a wage gap of over 20%. Research by Catalyst in 2022 found that Black, South Asian, and Chinese women earn between 55–65% of what white men earn. Disabled and LGBTQ2S+ workers also experience a significant wage gap.

“Overall, 21% of women and gender-diverse people feel taken advantage of at work—25% for those who are Indigenous, 25% for those with a physical disability, 28% of those with another disability, 25% for those aged 18 to 34, and 34% for those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+.” Canadian Women’s Foundation

How Big Is This Problem - and How Can We Fix It?

Let’s look at two key jobs: childcare and cleaning. According to WorkBC, early childhood educators in B.C. earn a median wage of $22/hour, while light-duty cleaners earn $20/hour. Compare this to the Metro Vancouver living wage, which is $27.05/hour, and it’s clear that workers in these fields are earning well below what it takes to cover basic needs—ironically, the very services they provide to others.

Two businesses working towards changing the status quo are OneSpace and The Cleaning Co-op. Both of these women-owned, values-driven organizations are committed to ensuring the women they employ are compensated fairly.

Before its founding, OneSpace CEO Elizabeth experienced first-hand the struggles so many entrepreneurs and working mothers face. As the Executive Director of a non-profit with a one-year-old son and no regular childcare, she felt the isolation of being an entrepreneur without a business community and a mom without support. So she teamed up with her childhood best friend, Victoria, and together they founded OneSpace to support women, and moms in particular.

OneSpace is also a certified Living Wage Employer, meaning all their team members—including childcare providers—are paid a living wage.

“I know firsthand how important childcare is to working caregivers. In fact, it was the sheer incompatibility of corporate life and motherhood that led me not to return to my job after maternity leave - and ultimately pushed me to found The Cleaning Co-op. I needed to create a space where I could both care for my child and earn a living as a solo parent. Elizabeth and Victoria have worked to meet the needs of working caregivers through OneSpace, and our values and missions are deeply aligned - making working with them a perfect fit.” Hayley, Co-founder of The Cleaning Co-op

The Cleaning Co-op was founded by three women—Hayley, Lulu, and Paulina—out of shared experiences of exploitation, discrimination, patriarchy, and capitalism. With a desire to disrupt a “dirty” industry, they created a worker-owned enterprise committed to non-exploitative employment, paying each other a real living wage, and prioritizing each other’s wellbeing.

“Choosing to work with The Cleaning Co-op was a no-brainer. There are several parallels between The Cleaning Co-op and OneSpace that make the relationship a natural fit. Both OneSpace and The Cleaning Co-op are disrupters in our respective industries, both OneSpace and The Cleaning Co-op are women-founded and led, we both place value on supporting other women-owned businesses and we’re both committed to paying our teams a living wage.” Victoria, OneSpace Director of Operations

Care and cleaning work is not low-skilled—it’s low-paid. And it’s time that changed.

One way you can help make a difference is by supporting businesses like OneSpace and The Cleaning Co-op, who are committed to raising the bar—and the wages—in these vital industries.

If you’re interested in supporting a worker-owned enterprise that guarantees a professional, high-quality cleaning service, get in touch The Cleaning Co-op: tccoop.ca.