Latest Updates
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.
Saudi Arabia: A story of Ariyawathie, a migrant domestic worker from Sri Lanka
— by IDWFED — last modified Oct 21, 2015 06:47 PMMajority of Sri Lankan women who work in the Middle East as migrant workers belong to low income families and are financially instable. They detach themselves from their families and travel abroad for work in hope of realizing dreams and ambitions.
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.
Italy: Feast Day of Zita on 27 April - Patron of Domestic Workers
— by IDWFED — last modified Nov 26, 2015 03:21 PMOn 27 april Saint Zita (1212–1272) is commemorated as saint patron of domestic workers. If the Holy See in Vatican City had become member of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the ratification of its Convention 189 surely would have taken place on that very day.
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.
Netherlands: Stories of domestic workers working in Netherlands
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 11, 2016 01:52 PMA Domestic Workers' film by Domestic Workers Netherlands.
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.
Benin: Cotonou Workshop on the Domestic work Statement
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 06, 2016 05:32 PMAt Cotonou in August, 2010, participants from Benin, Togo, Niger, Senegal and Burkina-Faso determined to advocate for the adoption of a ILO Convention for Domestic Workers.
Europe: Domestic Workers Begin to See Some Rights
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 05:19 PMLike Puscariu, millions of Eastern European women work in private homes in Western Europe, cleaning or looking after children and the elderly. Precise numbers are hard to pin down since a large number of domestic workers in Europe work illegally. A Romanian or a Bulgarian, for instance, can go into a Western European country without a visa and then overstay the permitted three months without registering and start working informally.
Asia: Joint Declaration on Celebrating May Day 2010 as "Asian Domestic Workers' Day"
— by IDWFED — last modified May 03, 2016 05:10 PM“We are not begging for special treatment. We, domestic workers, are claiming our basic rights. We are demanding equal treatment and proper recognition as workers and members of society. We will continue to fight abuses and exploitation. We want freedom from slavery.” - Sringatin, Chairperson, Federation of Asian Domestic Workers’ Union (FADWU, Hong Kong)
Indonesia: Never-ending struggle, says Lita Anggraini
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 25, 2015 05:41 PM“I don’t consider this occupation as a job, but as a part of my life, and I will keep working at it even if there is no institution or organization employing me to do so,” Lita told The Jakarta Post in Yogyakarta early last week.