Latest Updates

Lebanon: Join IDWF and ARM in calling for Justice for Shamila

— by IDWFED — last modified Jul 11, 2018 06:04 PM

Following the racist mob assault of two Kenyan women migrant workers in Beirut, the Lebanese government threatened to deport one of the women, Shamila.

Malaysia: Response from Migrant Worker Communities and Migrant Rights’ Civil Society Organizations With Regards To Ongoing Raids on Undocumented Migrants

— by IDWFED — last modified Jul 11, 2018 05:54 PM

Recent raid against migrant workers - Many migrants are domestic workers - 250,000 registered and many more irregular ones. According to AMMPO, IDWF affiliate in Malaysia, the immigration officers are very rude - yelling at the migrants, workers got handcuffed, tied and brought to lobby treating them like animals, restrictions from water nor toilets.

Kuwait: Domestic workers celebrated the International Domestic Workers' Day for the first time

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 25, 2018 10:50 PM

It was a very significant occasion because it's the first time that this day was celebrated in the country.

Hong Kong: Migrant domestic workers continue to face exploitation as employment agencies fail to comply with government’s new Code of Practice

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 20, 2018 03:32 PM

The new report, Agents of Change? Assessing agency compliance with the Code of Practice, is based on interviews with 452 migrant domestic workers between July 2017 and March 2018. It shows that the Hong Kong government’s Code of Practice for Employment Agencies* is being widely flouted by agencies, leaving migrant domestic workers at risk of abuse and exploitation.

Global: 2018 June 16 - Events and activities of domestic workers around the world

— by IDWFED — last modified Jul 16, 2018 04:02 PM

2018 June 16 - Events and activities of domestic workers around the world

India: Domestic workers urge the government to ratify C189

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 21, 2018 09:36 PM

NDWF - Jharkhand Domestic Workers Union 500 domestic workers from five districts came together in an assembly to celebrate June 16. They demand for C189 ratification, law for domestic workers, Minimum wages of domestic workers and BPL. Guests include parliament member, member of Legislative Assembly.

Global: 2018 June 16 - Support ILO Convention to Stop Gender-based Violence - Equal Rights, Respect & Justice for Domestic Workers

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 21, 2018 06:32 PM

Everyone, including governments and employers in our communities need to know this process and be supportive of our call. A workplace which is free of abuse and violence is good for everyone.

Italy: Stop violence at work - Filcams supports the campaign for the ILO Convention

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 16, 2018 03:41 PM

On the International Domestic Workers' Day, Filcams Cgil Nazionale supports the #StopGBVatWork campaign against violence at work and gender harassment.

Peru: Congress approved the ratification of C189 for the rights of domestic workers

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 19, 2018 10:32 PM

After 7 years of unattainable struggle of the Domestic Workers, today the Ratification of ILO Convention 189, and its recommendation 201, was debated and approved in the Plenary of the Congress of the Republic.

ILC107: ILC delegates agreed the future instrument should be a Convention, supplemented by a Recommendation

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 10, 2019 03:34 PM

Wrapping up their annual meeting in Geneva, members of the International Labour Organisation agreed on the need to "adopt standards on violence and harassment in the world of work".

Global: Myrtle Witbooi has been chosen as a Finalist for the Challenging Norms, Powering Economies challenge

— by IDWFED — last modified Jul 18, 2018 10:00 PM

Myrtle’s proposal was chosen from an incredibly strong field of over 150 nominees across Africa and the Middle East.

Myanmar: Stop all Human Rights Violations and Abuses against Rohingya Women and Young Girls; Ensure safe return and citizenship of all Rohingya refugees

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 21, 2018 11:31 AM

Thousands of Rohingya women and young girls have been raped and killed since August 2017. Reports reveal that they are committed by the army and police of your government. This is outrageous, shameful and must be stopped immediately.

ILC107: We continue to fight with alongside our partners and allies in unity and solidarity

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 02, 2018 10:01 PM

We all know well that domestic workers and other workers in the informal sector are subjected to violence and harassment because of lack of protective measures that renders them vulnerable and unprotected. The following days will be fundamental, and the battle of the amendments is already under way.

ILC107: Let 2018 be the start of freedom from abuse for domestic workers!

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 10, 2019 03:32 PM

Speech of Myrtle Witbooi, IDWF President, at the ILC 2018 plenary.

Switzerland: IDWF delegation at the International Labour Conference in Geneva

— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 02, 2018 09:48 PM

Domestic workers are ready to fight for an instrument that gives them the voice and freedom they deserve.

Switzerland: The International Domestic Workers Federation is back at the International Labour Conference - Support ILO Convention Stop Gender-based Violence

— by IDWFED — last modified May 31, 2018 05:03 PM

“We, domestic workers are back again, this time for another ILO Convention to protect us against violence and harassment in the workplace. The invisible violence that we must bear in our work places as women and as workers is one of the most pervasive injustices inflicted into our sector but we are here to make sure this will come to an end”, said Myrtle Witbooi.

Americas: Racial Equality Tops Domestic Workers Meeting in Brazil

— by IDWFED — last modified May 17, 2018 04:17 PM

In one of the most powerful moments of the conference, migrant domestic workers and Afro-descendent domestic workers shared their strategies during a panel on racial equality and, in the process, "restored dignity back to themselves and to the work they do," says Adriana Paz, IDWF Latin America regional coordinator.

USA: Our Work, Our Dignity: Making Rights A Reality

— by IDWFED — last modified May 05, 2018 09:15 PM

This 2018, in response to the current political climate of escalated attacks on immigrant communities and the ongoing pattern of under-compliance with labor laws in the domestic work industry, California’s domestic workers are rising above the fear and uniting to protect and assert their rights both as immigrants and as workers.

Bangladesh: Domestic workers urged the government to immediately implement protection and welfare policy

— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 29, 2018 05:31 PM

Domestic workers, trade union leaders and legal experts on Wednesday urged the government to immediately implement the domestic workers’ protection and welfare policy which has been adopted in 2015 to protect their rights.

Hong Kong: Sundays in the Park With Bagoong

— by IDWFED — last modified Apr 10, 2018 04:08 PM

Once a week, Hong Kong’s domestic workers, many from the Philippines and Indonesia, take to public spaces for adobo-scented picnics and a quiet act of rebellion.

Jordan: Jordanian youth join the My Fair Home youth advocacy network for domestic worker rights

— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 26, 2018 05:42 PM

The ILO FAIRWAY project is supporting youth in the Arab States to become change makers for migrant domestic workers’ rights in their communities.

USA: "Violence and Harassment against Women in the World of Work" Expert Group Workshop

— by IDWFED — last modified May 31, 2018 05:05 PM

In the context of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62), the IDWF was invited by Care International to an Expert Group Workshop on "Violence and Harassment against Women in the World of Work" on 13 March 2018.

Nepal: Film about the life of domestic workers - "In Safe Hands"

— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 08, 2018 10:49 PM

Through Sonu Danuwar Chaudhary's rare, poignant and sometimes painful journey, this film portrays the millions of workers internationally who pick up the care deficit to ensure that more privileged portions of the global population remain "In Safe Hands".

Kenya: Domestic Workers Push for Convention Ratification

— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 22, 2018 11:19 PM

Domestic workers rally for ratification of ILO Convention 189 on February 21, 2018 on Parliament grounds.

Brazil: Following years of campaigning by domestic workers, the government in recent days ratified the ILO C189

— by IDWFED — last modified Feb 13, 2018 06:23 PM

In a statement celebrating ratification, FENATRAD also vows to continue in the “daily struggle for dignity, valorization and recognition of domestic work, work that moves and creates conditions for other workers to dedicate themselves to productive activities.”