Justice

for

Domestic Workers

The Problem

• Domestic workers face physical, financial, and emotional abuse on the job due to lack of rights and protection

• There are early 53 million domestic workers around the world, most of them women. This figure does not include 7 million children under 16 who labor as domestic workers*

• They are historically excluded from rights afforded to all workers

• They are an isolated workforce, making them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation

* According to research by International Labour Organization

A 2009 survey of 70 countries found that

40% did not guarantee domestic workers

a weekly day of rest, and half did not

impose a limit on normal hours of work

for domestic workers

International Labour Organization

Hope for The Future

On June 16, 2011, members of the International Labour Organization (ILO)

adopted the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers (ILO’s

Convention189). It was ratified and became effective on September 5, 2012.

The convention is equal to an international treaty, and compels signatory nations to take necessary steps to

guarantee fair labor standards for domestic workers and protect them from abuse. Countries that violate the terms of

the treaty would face international sanctions.

The Domestic Workers Convention

(C 189)

• Provide same basic labor rights as those available to other workers– Weekly days off

– Limit to hours of work

– Minimum wage coverage

– Overtime compensation

– Social security and clear information on terms and conditions of employment

• Protect from abuse and violence

• Regulate private employment agencies

• Prevent child labor

Action = Progress

Countries around the globe have taken action to strengthen laws and regulations to provide fundamental labor rights that were not guaranteed to domestic workers due to

the nature of their informal work

Source: Human Rights Watch

Source: Human Rights Watch

In the United States

• 2.5 million domestic workers*

• Currently, 4 states have passed the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights

– New York (2010)

– Hawaii (July 2013)

– California (September 2013)

– Massachusetts (2014)

*Domestic Workers United

The fight for dignity and

respect for all domestic

workers is not yet over…

Organize, Educate,

Advocate…WIN!

• Organize domestic workers and inform

them of their rights

• Educate employers and recruitment

agencies on laws and regulations

• Advocate on federal and international

level

• Build coalitions within organizations to

increase resources and be more inclusive

“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.”

-Cesar Chavez

Sources"Domestic Workers United." Domestic Workers United. Web. 05 July 2014.

<http://www.domesticworkersunited.org/>.

"The ILO Domestic Workers Convention: New Standards to Fight Discrimination,

Exploitation, and Abuse." Human Rights Watch, 2013. Web. 03 July 2014.

<http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/related_material/2013ilo_dw_convention_b

rochure.pdf>.

"New ILO Convention Gives Domestic Workers Historic Labor Rights." National Domestic Workers Alliance. Web. 05 July 2014.

"New International Convention on Domestic Workers Rights Must Be Respected

by Governments." - International Trade Union Confederation. ITUC, 16 June

2011. Web. 04 July 2014. <http://www.ituc-csi.org/new-international-convention-

on>.

Reichel, Justin. "Domestic Workers Worldwide Abused, Need Protection: Report."

Epoch Times. Epoch Times, 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 05 July 2014.

<http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/canada/domestic-workers-worldwide-abused-

need-protection-report-338797.html>.

Yoshikane, Akito. "International Treaty Will Help End Forced Labor." National Domestic Workers Alliance. NDWA, 22 June 2011. Web. 03 July 2014.