
IDWF e-Newsletter #11 - April 2016
Resource Type
Newsletter, Journal
Details
In this issue:
- RATIFY C189: Get Ready for June 16 - International Domestic Workers Day! Make "My Fair Home" Every Domestic Worker’s Workplace!
- UNCSW60: IDWF at UN Commission on the Status of Women
The Panel, commissioned by the UN General Secretary, will make action-oriented recommendations on how to improve economic outcomes for women in the context of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, promote women’s leadership in driving economic growth, and galvanize political will. The Panel will produce two reports to the UN Secretary-General, drawing on rigorous analysis of the evidence, and views from broad-based consultations, and highlighting good practices. The first report will be presented in September 2016, and the second in March 2017. Please participate in local consultations.
- Eliminating legal barriers to female economic empowerment
- Addressing the care economy
- Reducing gender pay gaps
- Expanding opportunities for women who work informally
- Promoting financial and digital inclusion for women
- Fostering female entrepreneurship and enhancing the productivity of women-owned enterprises
- AFRICA: Domestic worker unions leveraged International Women's Day to organize, advocate and educate
- NEPAL - ASIA: Campaign for domestic worker protections in new Labour Act
The Labour Act is currently being reviewed by the parliament, and will be endorsed in the next session. The Labour Act draft recognizes domestic workers are workers, thanks to the efforts by domestic workers, unions and civil society organizations in the drafting process. However, its provisions on protection of domestic workers are vague. It says government may declare separate minimum wage for domestic workers and that holidays and working hours regulation should be governed by separate rules for domestic workers.
- BELGIUM - EUROPE: "Dienstencheques" will organize social elections in their companies
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - CARIBBEAN: Marching on March 8
- LATIN AMERICA: Domestic Workers celebrated the International Day of Domestic Workers
- USA - NORTH AMERICA: Victory in Massachusetts!
With our team of nine hearing day testifiers, over 100 signatures on our petition, and dozens of organizational supporters, we made the case that au pairs deserve the same rights as all other domestic workers!
Claudia and Thaty, former au pairs and current Matahari member leaders and nannies, testified about their past experiences as au pairs. Claudia spoke of her four-month ordeal with one of her host families. The family worked her around the clock and did not allow her privacy or rest time; when she spoke up about her long hours, the family cut off her internet and phone access, even unplugging the phone at night. When she alerted the au pair agency, the family kicked her out of the house the same day.
Thaty spoke about how difficult it is for au pairs to speak up for themselves for fear of being sent back to their home countries and losing the fees they’ve paid to take part in the program. She also shared stories of fellow au pairs she had met who were constantly hungry, despite the fact that money was deducted from their weekly stipends for food; one au pair she knew was provided only canned soup to eat. These cases prove that au pairs need the protections of the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights!
In less than 48 hours, we were able to collect over 100 petition signatures in support of our position! Normalyn, a Matahari member leader and nanny in Jamaica Plain, shared in her testimony how the au pair industry drives down wages and standards for nannies and how limiting au pair rights would make it worse. She proudly presented over 100 signatures from au pairs, nannies, and families to the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development!
Although we won this battle, this will not be the last effort to attack the Domestic Workers’ Law and to limit protections for au pairs, nannies, and other domestic workers. We will need everyone’s involvement to improve the industry for all!
- CAPACITY BUILDING RESOURCE: Domestic Worker Organizing Toolbox