In Belgium, domestic workers were elected as shop stewards in their companies to represent the rights and interests of all workers

Elections of shop stewards to represent all employees of companies are held every four years in Belgian companies employing more than 50 workers.

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Domestic Workers, all Women were Elected as Shop Stewards in their Companies to Represent the Rights and Interests of all Workers

Elections of shop stewards to represent all employees of companies are held every four years in Belgian companies employing more than 50 workers.

Domestic workers employed by service voucher and home care companies enjoy the same democratic and social rights as any other workers in other sectors.

In November, thousands of domestic workers have stood as candidates for social elections within their companies.

These elections must be organized according to a strict chronological procedure. The trade unions would support their candidates throughout this process for several months and help them to carry out their campaign successfully.

Sectors with scattered workers such as the domestic workers’ sector, running a voting campaign is extremely complicated.  Yet many domestic workers have managed to get themselves elected and are now sitting at the highest social levels in their companies.

As elected shop stewards, they will defend the interests and rights of all their colleagues within the company. This work takes place in the framework of social dialogue, with employers and employees meeting every month at committees – the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work and the Works Council.  Their scope of work is as follows:

Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work:

• correct application of legislation on health, safety and well-being at work and environmental legislation.
• the prevention of occupational accidents, occupational diseases, stress and harassment;
• consultation with the employer on workload, psychosocial risks, fire safety, etc..;

Works Council:

• work regulations;
• collective leave days and working hours.

ACV Food and Services, as the largest representative organization of domestic workers in Belgium, is proud of the outcome of the elections and the elected domestic workers, all women who will ensure that the rights and interests of all domestic workers are defended.

The shop stewards elected in the domestic workers’ sectors are also an integral part of the democratic structures within the ACV Food and Services trade union organization.