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Global: IDWF Statement on International Migrants Day - December 18 2016 - Domestic Workers of the World Unite!

Global: IDWF Statement on International Migrants Day - December 18 2016 - Domestic Workers of the World Unite!

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by IDWFED published Dec 18, 2016 12:00 AM
That was the pledge domestic workers made at the founding congress of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) in Uruguay three years ago. Today, on International Migrants Day, we once again remind ourselves that with unity we have the strength to free ourselves, especially migrant domestic workers, so that we are slaves no more.

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GLOBAL -

IDWF Statement on International Migrants Day - December 18, 2016

Domestic Workers of the World Unite!

That was the pledge domestic workers made at the founding congress of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) in Uruguay three years ago. Today, on International Migrants Day, we once again remind ourselves that with unity we have the strength to free ourselves, especially migrant domestic workers, so that we are slaves no more.

Rosie and Sushila

Today, our minds and hearts are with Rosie, the Nepali migrant domestic worker working in Lebanon who is now in detention. She and Sushila, deported last week, are reminders to us of the extreme vulnerability of migrant domestic workers, especially those in countries where protection of legal rights do not exist at all for migrant domestic workers. Both of them have been residing in Lebanon for over ten years, working as domestic workers legally. They were arrested at the beginning of this month without explanation. 

Lebanon, like other countries in the Middle East, is heavily dependent on migrant domestic workers to provide care and other services to families. However, it excludes migrant domestic workers from any legal rights protection and ties their employment to the KAFALA system that subjects them to the mercy of their employers. In January 2015, a group of courageous migrant domestic workers, including Rosie and Sushila, founded the Domestic Workers Union Lebanon. With the support of their allies such as FENASOL trade union federation, the domestic workers, all of whom are migrants, brave many challenges, the first and foremost of which is the illegality of the union.

They organize and educate themselves to change their situation, including advocating for the abolition of the KAFALA. Until today, the Domestic Workers Union Lebanon remains the only one of its kind in the country and in the entire region. The detention and deportation of Rosie and Sushila will not only destroy their future but also the Domestic Workers Union Lebanon. The IDWF strongly condemns such a move, which is a serious and open violation of basic human rights of migrant workers and the ILO Convention on Freedom of Association, the core of the ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Today let us hold each other’s hand tightly and unite for Rosie and her union in Lebanon. Our strength is our numbers. When we unite ourselves and with our allies, we will make change. We will not only save Rosie but also the Union on which so many migrant domestic workers have built their dreams.

We call on our friends, our partners, allies and all those who believe in migrant domestic workers rights to support our call to action.

Since we launched the signature campaign a week ago, we have received thousands of signatures. Today, please unite and join our call and spread this campaign: https://www.facebook.com/ARMLeb/posts/1346878712010226

Free Rosie!

Long Live Domestic Workers Union Lebanon!

Long Live Migrant Domestic Workers Rights!

 

Source: Sign petition and share!

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