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published Sep 04, 2014 11:25 AM
India: Interview of Jeanne Devos - The Voice of Indian Domestic Workers

India: Interview of Jeanne Devos - The Voice of Indian Domestic Workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 01, 2015 06:03 PM

Regarded as a nuisance when she set up the National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM), Sister Jeanne Devos, a Belgian, working in India for over thirty years, has nonetheless succeeded in greatly transforming the situation of Indian domestic workers. The movement began in 1985 with small groups in Tamil Nadu. Today, these behind-the-scene workers have an identity, some rights and can count on a supportive group.

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Bolivia: Senate endorsed ratification of C189

Bolivia: Senate endorsed ratification of C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 01, 2015 06:11 PM

In Bolivia, the Senate endorsed the ratification of C189 on October 25.

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Europe: Domestic workers falling through the loopholes

Europe: Domestic workers falling through the loopholes

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 02, 2015 05:29 PM

Many domestic workers in Europe do not enjoy as much legal protection as other workers. ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers - which will come into force in a year's time - offers a chance to improve the lives of the millions of people who work in this profession. Rebecca Pabon is a member of the Steering Committee of the IDWN. She believes that domestic workers in Europe need rights and protection just as much as their counterparts in other parts of the world. At the ILO interview, she explained how without legal protection, "that people will find more loopholes to bring 'cheap labour' into Europe."

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Bangladesh: DWRN urged the government protecting domestic workers

Bangladesh: DWRN urged the government protecting domestic workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 02, 2015 05:36 PM

Domestic Workers' Rights Network (DWRN) organised the human chain on October 22 in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Speakers at a human chain urged the government to enact separate laws to promote rights of domestic workers and curb violence against them. They also demanded that the government takes immediate measures so that domestic workers would no longer be considered informal labourers and not be easily exploited.

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Nicaragua: The National Assembly unanimously approved the C189

Nicaragua: The National Assembly unanimously approved the C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 02, 2015 06:01 PM

After Uruguay, Philippines, Mauritius, Nicaragua now ratifies C189!

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India: "Rate Card" Sets Minimum Standards on Domestic Work

India: "Rate Card" Sets Minimum Standards on Domestic Work

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 03, 2015 03:47 PM

The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of a complex in Gurgaon, National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi, India issued attachments to all owners of apartments in the condominium for their feedback or suggestion on the “Rate Card” which is to be implemented in the complex.

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India: Delhi Government extends cashless health insurance cover to domestic workers

India: Delhi Government extends cashless health insurance cover to domestic workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 03, 2015 03:54 PM

n a bid to ensure better medical care to the economically weaker section, Delhi Government has decided to extend cashless health insurance cover to domestic workers, street vendors, railway porters and hawkers in the city, reports PTI. Domestic workers can approach either Resident Welfare Associations or the Office of Sub-Divisional Magistrates to get the their names enrolled under the scheme.

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Bahrain: Passes new Labour Law to protect domestic workers

Bahrain: Passes new Labour Law to protect domestic workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 03, 2015 04:02 PM

Bahrain has passed a new labor law, Labor Law 36, protecting the rights of workers after four years of delays. The legislation, which has been ratified by King Hamad, will impose harsher penalties on employers risking employees’ health and safety, and will also increase vacation time to 30 days and lengthen maternity leave. The law also, for the first time, protects domestic workers.

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USA: NDWA said it was shocked as the California Governor vetoed the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 03, 2015 04:09 PM

Last night California's Governor Brown vetoed AB889 – the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. While we knew it was a possibility we were shocked.

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USA: Support California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights - Sign the Petition TODAY!

USA: Support California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights - Sign the Petition TODAY!

by IDWFED — last modified Jan 11, 2016 05:44 PM

Today, we know that domestic work is real work — from New York to California, we know it’s the work that makes all other work possible. It’s time to put an end to 74 years of exclusion and extend dignity, respect, and basic labor protections to domestic workers across the nation. We are now on the verge of passing a domestic workers bill. Please support and sign the petition.

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GCC: Why Ethiopian Domestic Workers Insecure in Gulf

GCC: Why Ethiopian Domestic Workers Insecure in Gulf

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 03, 2015 04:23 PM

Female economic migrants in these countries are highly exposed for insecure conditions due to various reasons. However, the female domestic workers trafficking or modern slavery is currently at increasing rate and in relative speaking their insecurity at their destination has also highly increasing and beyond one can imagine. Managing this highest domestic workers trafficking has become a challenge to the government. The question is why migrant female domestic workers in the GCC countries are highly exposed for insecure conditions. This article tries to address the major social and political causes for vulnerability and insecurity of the female domestic workers in the GCC countries.

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Trinidad & Tobago: NUDE campaign led to registration of Domestic Workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:20 PM

The Ministry of Labour Small and Micro Enterprise Development hosted a function on Friday 21st September to launch a National Register of Domestic Workers. The function held at the Hyatt Hotel Wrightson Road was a step taken in response to the National Union of Domestic Employees’ (NUDE) campaign to extend the same measure of protection afforded to workers in industry and service sectors.

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Hong Kong: Domestic Workers won $180 Pay Rise in September

Hong Kong: Domestic Workers won $180 Pay Rise in September

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:27 PM

Foreign domestic workers have won a HK$ 180 pay rise to HK$ 3,920 a month with new contracts from today. The 4.8 percent increase is their biggest in years.

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Mauritius: Third Country to Ratify C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:30 PM

Mauritius has ratified C189. It is the third country after Uruguay and the Philippines.

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Philippines: Remittances by Filipinos overseas up 5.4% to $1.81B in July

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:36 PM

Overseas Filipinos sent $11.9 B in first 7 months

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Nicaragua: National Assembly has received the motion to ratify the C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:51 PM

On the progress of the ratification of C189 in Nicaragua, the National Assembly has received the motion to ratify the C189. Despite support from its Minister of Labour, the National Assembly has yet to resolve some contentious issues such as working hours and minimum wage.

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USA: Trafficked domestic worker allowed to stay in US after winning settlement against diplomat

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:46 PM

“I want people to realize that this is really happening here in America to domestic workers,” said Dema at a September 13 press conference organized by Damayan and the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center.

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Philippines: A Filipino overseas worker, who just arrived from Syria, weeps after arriving at airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila

Philippines: A Filipino overseas worker, who just arrived from Syria, weeps after arriving at airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:27 PM

A Filipino overseas worker, who just arrived from Syria, weeps after arriving at Ninoy Aquino International airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila September 11, 2012.

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Nepal: Is Nepal's New Labor Ban Futile?

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:33 PM

Nepal and the Philippines recently announced intentions to reduce labor migration to the Gulf. Nepal will begin prohibiting female under the age of 30 from migrating to the region, while the Philippines is seeking to gradually terminate domestic worker migration to all nations over the next five years. Nepal’s ban on workers to the Gulf applies only to females under the age of 30. This number seems rather arbitrary, as domestic workers of all ages face the same difficulties.

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India: Receives $66.13bn In Remittances in the year 2011-12

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:38 PM

India received over $66.13 billion in remittances in the year 2011-12 as compared to $55.62bn in the previous, a hike of 19 per cent. "We have received $66.13 bn in remittances in 2011-12," Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

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USA: Give better pay to home care workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:44 PM

More than 90% of Americans agree that senior citizens should be able to age in their homes and communities. You don't want to visit your grandparents in a nursing home any more than they want to live there. But for the stay-at-home elderly to have so-called "independent living" they must be highly dependent on the home care aides who look after medication schedules, cook meals, assist with bathing and generally keep them happy and healthy.

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Philippines: The House of Representatives approves 'Kasambahay Bill'

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:49 PM

On 5 September 2012, the Philippine House of Representatives on its third and final reading approved House Bill (HB) 6144, a bill which when passed into law will provide protection for the 1.9 million domestic workers (kasambahay) in the country. The Kasambahay bill requires employers provide three basic necessities—board, lodging and medical assistance—to their domestic workers. Besides, the bill is to ensure that domestic workers have access to basic education. It also guarantees that the privacy of domestic workers are respected as well as their right to a daily rest and weekly day off.

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Global: International treaty on domestic workers' rights to come into force next year

Global: International treaty on domestic workers' rights to come into force next year

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:01 PM

"Today's ratification by the Philippines sends a powerful signal to the millions of domestic workers who will be protected when the Convention comes into force," said ILO’s Director-General, Juan Somavia. "I hope it will also send a signal to other Member States and that we will soon see more and more countries committing to protect the rights of domestic workers."

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Philippines: Filipino domestic workers get labour rights recognition

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:59 PM

By ratifying ILO Convention 189, the Philippines become the second country to officially extend basic labour rights to domestic workers. Once excluded from labour laws, thousands of domestic workers will now enjoy the same protections as any other workers. In this short documentary, two Filipino workers express their hopes that their working conditions will now improve.

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India: Amended the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill to Cover Domestic Workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:04 PM

On 3 September 2012, the Lok Sabha passed a major bill, The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2010, piloted by Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath, on protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace along with two other legislations without debate.

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USA: We did it - California Senate Passes Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

by IDWFED — last modified Feb 03, 2016 05:00 PM

Last night, the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights passed in the State Senate, and is headed to the governor's desk. The largest state in the country is one signature away from providing long-overdue respect and recognition to the 250,000 domestic workers who care for children, houses, and elders.

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USA: Domestic workers need the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights because we deserve respect, recognition, and dignity

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:12 PM

"They hired me to take care of their elderly parents but then expected me to cook, clean, and care for the entire family. And they were very disrespectful to me. I did all I could to make sure their needs were met, and it was important to me that their aging family members felt loved and respected. But it hurt me, especially as a Filipina taking care of a Filipino family, that I was not given that same basic respect. That’s what this is all about. Our work makes all other work possible; we need the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights because we deserve respect, recognition, and dignity."

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India: Creation of a National Platform for a comprehensive legislation for domestic workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:28 PM

It has come to our notice that the MOLE has recently accepted domestic work as an employment category. Domestic workers are also meant to be included in the RSBY though several states have not implemented this. While these are commendable steps, these are all piecemeal measures that do not ensure the workers their rights as stated in the Convention. Considering the vulnerability of the sector and the unorganized nature of their work these workers will not achieve social protection unless they are covered by a Central Legislation.

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USA: Low Benefits, Temporary Jobs - Work Is Getting Worse...But Hope for Labor Rights Is Emerging from a Surprising Place

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:36 PM

A special Labor Day interview with domestic workers organizer Ai-Jen Poo, one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2012.

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Peru: A Step Forward to Ratification

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:43 PM

On 24 August, Leddy Mozombite Linares, President of the domestic workers’ union SINTTRAHOL, met with the Vice President of the National Congress, Marisol Espinoza, who later issued a plea to the Congress to make ratification of C189 top priority for the country.

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