Asia Pacific
Thailand: Profile of Kyan Par
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 07, 2016 06:11 PMOne will be amazed by how Burmese domestic workers are organized in Thailand. Kyan Par joined the Network of Domestic Workers in Thailand in Dec 2014, and was soon elected as the President of the Network of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDW) in Thailand.
Hong Kong: "Strangers at Home" - selected stories and photos available online
— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 18, 2016 09:02 PMThe award winning book "Strangers at Home" (外傭—住在家中的陌生人) explores the lives of migrant domestic workers who go to Hong Kong to work and the impact on this migration on their families back home. The book features a series of personal stories and photo essays from both Hong Kong and the Philippines, as well as a series of interviews with employers and experts.
20160215 IDWF statement No abuse of domestic workers in Indonesia
— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 15, 2016 05:19 PMIndonesia: IDWF statement on the abuse cases of domestic workers Siti Sri Marni and other 3 workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 15, 2016 09:52 PMWe are shocked and agitated to learn the recent abuse cases of domestic workers in Indonesia. Siti Sri Marni and other 3 domestic workers E, M and W escaped on 8 Feb 2016 after 12 or more years of serious abuses by their employer Meta Hasan Musdalifah in Jakarta, Indonesia. We, the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), join with JALAPRT, the National Network for Domestic Workers Advocacy on the National Domestic Workers Day to call upon the Indonesian government to adopt the Domestic Workers Bill.
Indonesia: PRT Torment by Employer, Evidence that, Absent Government Give Protection, said Jala PRT
— by IDWFED — last modified Oct 03, 2016 05:01 PMNational Network for Domestic Workers Advocacy (Jala PRT) assess the atrocity that often do employers of domestic workers is evidence of the absence of the state's role in providing protection.
Indonesia: JALA PRT Statement on Occurrence of Violence against domestic workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Oct 03, 2016 05:00 PMCases of violence above is one of a row of cases of domestic workers in the country. These cases show how inhumane treatment of domestic workers, as well as the absence of State protection to domestic workers. Cases of torture, confinement - Recurrent slavery continues. But there is no legal process or mild punishment of the perpetrators so it does not become a permanent lesson can be free and repeated actions.
India: There's no reason I should be ashamed of what work I do, says a domestic worker
— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 03, 2016 09:52 PMPreviously I was known as a domestic worker—I was embarrassed to tell my fellow classmates. But my trainers and classmates treated me equally once they found out my role of work. There’s no reason I should be ashamed of what work I do—I am much more than just what I am employed as. I am a daughter. I am proud. I am encouraged. I am a sister.
Singapore: NTUC launches centre to help domestic workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 25, 2016 09:59 PMIt will give advice on employment issues, provide mediation and run helpline too.
Global: ITC-ILO Training on "Decent Work for Domestic Workers" in 2016
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 24, 2016 04:04 PMDo you want to know how to make decent work a reality for domestic workers in your country? Apply now for ITC-ILO Training on "Decent Work for Domestic Workers".
Singapore: New minimum wage for Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 02, 2016 04:58 PMEmployers will have to pay at least $550 a month to employ a Filipino domestic worker, up from $500 - the first rise in three years.
Lebanon: Employers have inaccurate and incorrect knowledge about the regulations governing their work relationship
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 21, 2016 06:27 PMThe latest nationwide survey with employers of domestic workers in Lebanon (2015) revealed that many employers have inaccurate and incorrect knowledge about the regulations governing their work relationship, and this also influences their behavior with the worker.
Global: New Year message from Myrtle Witbooi, IDWF President & Elizabeth Tang, IDWF General Secretary
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 17, 2016 05:14 PMThe last year was an extremely important year for IDWF. It was a year of rapid growth, both in terms of membership size and leadership formation. It was evident as domestic worker leaders came together at regional workshops and meetings to discuss strategies, share stories, and make plans. The IDWF became better known and we are working together with increasing numbers of trade unions and other allies.
GCC: Life-saving mobile app for Indian workers - MigCall
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 14, 2016 03:36 PMThe app is developed in association with the Migrant Forum in Asia, a Manila based regional network which toils for the rights of migrant workers.
Philippines: Domestic workers face long road to labor rights at home and abroad
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 11, 2016 03:49 PMRead the special report of Remy Borlongan and Rex Varona on how migrant domestic workers face long road to labor rights at home and abroad.
Nepal: Nepalese women trafficked to Syria and forced to work as domestic workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 05, 2016 09:50 PMUnscrupulous agents lure women into conflict zones with promises of employment abroad only to leave them working long hours for little or no pay.
Bangladesh: DWRN discussed further with Labour Minister on Adopted Domestic Workers Policy
— by Fish Ip — last modified Apr 03, 2017 11:13 PMFollowing to the adoption of Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy in Bangladesh on 21 Dec 2015, several follow up discussions were organized to discuss on the follow up and policy details.
2015.12.21 Domestic Workers in Bangladesh by DWRN presentation PDF
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 23, 2015 04:23 PM2015.12.21 Bangladesh DW Policy 2015 Adopted PDF
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 22, 2015 04:54 PMBangladesh: Cabinet Adopts Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 28, 2015 06:20 PMThe cabinet on Dec 21 afternoon approved the draft of "Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy-2015". Bangladesh has cleared its first-ever policy for domestic workers, setting 14 years as the minimum age for employment.
Global: Message from Myrtle to all workers at the end of 2015
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 21, 2015 05:22 PMLet us take a moment to say thank you and salute all for the achievements over the last year.
Global: Awarding Excellence in Reporting Fairly on Labour Migration
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 05, 2016 09:10 PMTo mark this year’s International Migrants Day, the ILO, in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are pleased to announce the results of the competition showcasing excellence in media reporting on labour migration. The winner for the category “Professional Journalist” went to Ángeles Mariscal and Moysés Zuñiga and their article about Guatemalan domestic workers.
Kenya: Iscah's escape from Saudi Arabia - abused Kenyan domestic worker tells her story
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 23, 2015 06:04 PMIscah Achieng is back home in Kenya and feels lucky to be alive. Recently released from her abusive employers in Saudi Arabia, she tells a harrowing story of beatings, starvation, death threats and sexual harassment. Despite her 14-month ordeal, she is already campaigning for other domestic workers from Africa and Asia who are enduring similar – or worse.
Global: New ILO figures show 150 million migrants in the global workforce
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 18, 2015 09:45 PMA new ILO statistical study provides estimates on labour migration, including regions and industries where international migrant workers are established and a special focus on migrants in domestic work.
Asia & Europe: Domestic workers, debunking the myths - A Euronews Special Report
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 05, 2016 04:12 PMIn just 8 minutes, Euronews shows how domestic workers have won better working conditions in countries around the world. Through examples in Italy and Hong Kong, it debunks the myths that domestic workers and their employers are unable to organize and bargain collectively.
Africa: Resolution on Domestic Worker sentenced to Death in Saudi Arabia - letter PDF
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 10, 2015 05:58 PMThe IUF Africa Regional Committee
Africa: Resolution on Domestic Worker sentenced to Death in Saudi Arabia
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 10, 2015 06:03 PMThe IUF Africa Regional Committee at its meeting on Thursday and Friday, 3rd and 4th December, 2015 in Lomé, Togo was shocked to learn that a Sri Lankan domestic worker was sentenced to death by a Court in Saudi Arabia.
Sri Lanka: Appeal letter to the king of Saudi Arabia by The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 10, 2015 09:10 PMThe Muslim Council of Sri Lanka is deeply grieved and is reaching out to Your Highness on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka for clemency to the house maid sentenced to death by stoning for the serious crime of adultery while the other respondent, a Sri Lankan male migrant worker is to receive 100 lashes.
Saudi Arabia: Save the Life of the Sri Lankan Domestic Worker
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 28, 2015 03:25 PMAccording to the news on Dec 23, the Sri Lankan domestic worker sentenced to death by stoning in Saudi Arabia for adultery has her execution overturned after her government appealed for clemency.
Hong Kong: A working mum and her Philippine domestic worker
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 05, 2016 06:07 PMOf the seven or so million residents in the former British colony of Hong Kong, nearly 5% - some 340,000 - are foreign domestic workers. Nearly half come from either the Philippines or Indonesia, and are indispensable assets for many working parents in the city. But, as the BBC's Grace Tsoi discovers, the experience of motherhood of one Filipina live-in maid differs enormously from that of the Chinese working mother who employs her.
Thailand: Domestic worker from Myanmar rescues sister from decade of slavery
— by IDWFED — last modified Nov 18, 2015 02:01 PMWhen Aye Than Dar and her little sister Hla Thidar Myint paid a broker in Myanmar's Mon state to smuggle them to Thailand for domestic work, it was the start of a decade-long ordeal that would see the pair separated and Hla held as a slave.