News
Asia: Urgent Action to urge the Government of the Philippines to ratify C189 within the next 3 months
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 23, 2015 09:52 PMOn March 8, representatives from IDWN, Global Network-Asia, Migrant Forum Asia (MFA) and Amnesty International in Manila, met with the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines.
Bolivia: Federation of Domestic Workers of Bolivia calls for immediate ratification of C189
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 07, 2015 03:48 PMAlmost one year after its adoption, this convention has not been ratified yet by Bolivia nor by any other country, in spite of having received 396 votes in favor, among them, the one of Bolivia. This norm establishes that millions of domestic workers will be able to have the same basic rights as other workers, including reasonable working hours, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit to payments in species, clear information on the terms and the conditions of the employment, as well as the respect to the principles and fundamental labor rights, including those of union freedom and collective negotiation.
Germany: World Day of Prayer 2012 - Prayerful Action for Domestic workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 23, 2015 08:41 PMIn the international ecumenical movement “World Day of Prayer” praying together and acting in solidarity go together: informed prayer and prayerful action. Women active in World Day of Prayer (WDP) work are committed to learn and to strive for wisdom. They are also encouraged to take responsible action that grows out of the worship service and its theme, and that is wisely discerned and appropriate for those who engage in it.
USA: Be The Help - Win Rights and Respect for Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 11, 2016 01:16 PMA Public Statement of the International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) to the Department of Labor of the U. S. government in support of the newly proposed regulations to bring overtime and minimum-wage protections to two million home-care workers in the country, and to provide basic record-keeping protections for live-in domestic workers.
Netherlands: Solidarity Action with the Cleaners and Domestic Workers in The Netherlands
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 11, 2016 04:44 PMIn The Netherlands the domestic workers are also part of the cleaners industry. At the moment they are walking together with the cleaners in the streets for a new collective agreement. They are also covered by it, but only domestic workers under agencies, this time they want to cover also domestic workers under individual employers which is the majority in The Netherlands, Rebeca Pabon reports.
Netherlands: IDWN Solidarity note to the domestic workers and cleaners
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 31, 2016 07:30 PMThe International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) is watching with great interest the events in the Netherlands. For the second year, the cleaners and domestic workers have to go on strike in order to achieve an acceptable collective agreement for the industry. We are very proud that the Dutch domestic workers are part of this important struggle!
Global: Domestic Workers Around the World Support JalaPRT, Indonesia
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 08:52 PMWe urge the Indonesian government: to Establish a Law for the Protection of Domestic Workers, to Ratify the ILO Convention 189 and R201 Now.
Caribbean: Caribbean Domestic Workers Network Launched
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 09:31 PMDomestic workers from across the Caribbean have come together to establish a network dedicated to advancing efforts to ensure that the work of domestic workers is recognised as valid work alongside other catergories of work, and that these employees are treated with dignity and respect.
Uruguay: The National Day of Domestic Workers is Celebrated
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 09:35 PMThe Latin American Regional Secretariat of the IUF, saluted all domestic workers on this day in Uruguay, while calling the appropriate authorities to expedite the ratification of Convention 189 and Recommendation 201 of the ILO recently adopted at the 100th International Labour Conference.
Trinidad & Tobago: CAFRA Congratulates NUDE For ILO Victory
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 02:35 PMThe Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (Trinidad and Tobago) congatulated the National Union of Domestic Workers on the historic achievement of a Domestic Worker Convention at the ILO Conference. CAFRA praised the late Clotil Walcott of NUDE, as well as James Lynch, Salisha Ali and Ida Le Blanc, NUDE General Secretary.
USA: Domestic Workers Support Student Strikers at Hershey's
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 09:39 PMDomestic workers from the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) met with student guestworkers who led a factory sit-in because of broken promises and unfair conditions.
Germany: Strengthening Protections for Domestic Workers Report Published
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 05:39 PMHow do we define a landmark event? It has taken some 60 years, but in June 2011 the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted a global convention setting forth the fundamental rights of domestic workers, and the obligation of governments worldwide to protect them.
Germany: Diplomatic Immunity Poses Threat to Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 02:46 PMDiplomatic immunity was originally meant to protect embassy personnel from arbitrary harassment. But a new case in Berlin, involving the alleged abuse of an Indonesian domestic worker, makes it clear that human rights sometimes get lost in the shuffle. The case could go to Germany's highest court.
USA: AFL-CIO Partners with Domestic Workers Alliance - Call for Domestic Worker Representatives at ILC
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 10, 2019 03:33 PMIn a historic move, the AFL-CIO signed a new partnership agreement with the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
USA: TUCA Publishes Support for Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified May 03, 2016 06:20 PMOn May 1 women workers in the Americas mobilized to demand from governments and business the responses needed to assure passage of the new agreement “Decent Work for Domestic Workers” at the next International Labour Conference.
Indonesia: President Calls for an End to Export of Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 03:07 PMPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia should stop sending workers overseas for placement in the informal sector, in particular as domestic workers. Yudhoyono has established a team to evaluate countries that do not provide sufficient protection to Indonesian workers. These countries could face a moratorium on labor exports from Indonesia.
Guatamala: First domestic workers union formed
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 03:22 PMThe first union for domestic workers in the history of Guatamala, SITRODOMSA, was formed in April, 2011.
Indonesia: Jala PRT files lawsuit against government for failing to protect domestic workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 03:12 PMActivists have submitted a citizen lawsuit against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his aides and the House of Representatives, for failing to protect domestic workers in the country and abroad. "This lawsuit signals that we want stronger protection for our domestic workers," the National Network for Domestic Workers Advocacy (Jala PRT) coordinator, Lita Anggraini, told The Jakarta Post after filing the lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.
Zambia: New Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 03:56 PMFor the first time, the Zambian government has set a minimum wage for domestic workers. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security arrived at the minimum wage after consultation with stakeholders, including employers and employees. “Despite their importance, domestic workers are the most exploited and abused in the country, needless to say that they are often underworked and underpaid,” explained Minister Austin Liato.
Indonesia: Understanding Indonesian domestic workers' rights
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 03:28 PMAn article in the Jakarta Globe explores the four basic elements that must be considered to fully understand the specific conditions affecting domestic workers. The author, Faishol Adib, argues that a firm understanding of the plight of domestic workers is necessary to ensure an effective Domestic Workers' Convention.
Switzerland: Domestic Workers protected by the Country’s first Sectoral Employment Contract
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 03:54 PMThe Swiss union UNIA has convinced the Swiss government to establish the country's first sectoral employment contract for domestic workers. Also called NAVs, these agreements are designed for sectors in which collective agreements cannot be reached.
Global: Reversing a History of Exclusion through International Labour Law
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 03:42 PMClaire Hobden, a junior project officer at the ILO, addressed the necessary legal protections sought by domestic workers, and the value of the standard-setting process.
Europe: EESC addresses "Professionalization" of domestic work
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 04:14 PMThe European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion on “The professionalization of domestic work”.
Global: "Domestic workers: their time now" by Celia Mather
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 04:12 PMCelia Mather, a UK-based writer on global labour issues, including for the IDWN, recently published an article in International Union Rights. Ms. Mather hails the historic fight that domestic workers have embarked on to win an ILO Convention that gives them fundamental rights equal to other workers.
Germany: Organizations Believe an ILO Convention for Domestic Workers Is Needed To Combat Poverty
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 04:31 PMThe German Federation of Trade Unions DGB and the German Commission Justice and Peace issued a press release criticizing the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion for failing to implement needed structural changes in poverty reduction and prevention. Both organizations urge that the enabling international agreements be ratified and implemented, including the ILO convention on domestic workers.
Global: Campaign for Decent Work and Rights for Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 05:18 PMBetween International Human Rights Day (10 December 2010) and the opening of the International Labour Conference (1 June 2011) organized domestic workers and support organizations will lobby their governments to vote for a meaningful and strong rights-based international Convention to protect domestic workers.
Trinidad & Tobago: National Union of Domestic Workers Gets ILO Support
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 04:36 PMThe International Labour Organization (ILO), Office for the Caribbean and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) are supporting the renewed efforts of the National Union of Domestic Employees (NUDE) of Trinidad and Tobago to mobilize domestic workers and defend the rights and interests of domestic workers.
Global: UN Recommends Protection of Migrant Domestic Workers Worldwide
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 04:25 PMThe UN Committee on Migrant Workers adopted guidance in the form of a "General Comment" that interprets the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
Hong Kong: FADWU Founded - A Milestone for Domestic Workers' Rights in Asia
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 05:08 PMHong Kong Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Unions (FADWU) was founded in November 2010.
India: Government Adopts New Position in Support of ILO Convention for Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 24, 2015 05:33 PMWhen the Government of India responded to the ILO "Brown" Report, it proposed a few changes to the language. To the delight of domestic workers throughout the globe, the Indian government indicated its support of the ILO Domestic Worker Convention supplemented by a Recommendation.