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Cambodia Domestic Workers Network (CDWN) FORMED!

12 November, 2012

The public and media in Cambodia are surprised to see now domestic workers in Cambodia are starting to be organized!. Cambodia Domestic Workers Network (CDWN) had its founding congress on Nov 10 and 11, 2012 in Phnom Penh. Over 100 domestic workers, cleaners and security guards attended the congress and elected the president, vice-president and secretary.

Thai ministerial regulations to protect domestic workers' rights approved

8 November, 2012

THAILAND -

The ministerial regulations to protect domestic workers' rights had been approved on 30 Oct. The regulations are currently on the process of submission to Royal Thai Government Gazette and will surely be implemented within this year.

Major points are:

  • Domestic workers will have weekend off
  • Work 8 hours a day
  • Overtime work hours must be paid
  • Eligible for sick leave with pay

However, some benefits are still not allowed:

  • No minimum wages
  • No maternity leave
  • No right protection for termination due to pregnancy

Tenaganita, fights for humane treatment of Cambodia DWs in Malaysia

1 November, 2012

MALAYSIA -

Treating domestic workers as equal human beings is not only required by law, it is humane.

From January last year to September this year, Tenaganita handled close to 200 cases of domestic worker abuse incidents.  Based on these cases, the top five violations faced by the workers were: withholding of passport by employer (100% of cases), no contract signed between worker and employer (100%), no paid day off (100%), unpaid wages (76%) and physical abuse (60%).

Other violations included overwork, insufficient food or deprivation of food, doing double jobs (at home and at the employer’s business), poor living conditions, and sexual assault or rape. Each case typically involved a combination of seven or eight different violations.

Many employers do not realise that under the Anti-Trafficking In Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, abusers can be fined up to RM1mil or imprisoned up to 20 years.

"We need to recognise that domestic workers are workers, and they have rights," stressed Tenaganita programme director Glorene A. Das.

Campaigning for Justice: Human Rights Advocacy in Practice

31 October, 2012

GLOBAL -

In Jo Becker's new book, Campaigning for Justice: Human Rights Advocacy in Practice, it outlines some of the most innovative human rights campaigns of recent years, and how activists were able to fight seemingly intractable abuses to secure concrete advances in human rights.

There is a chapter about organizing for decent work for domestic workers. It features national-level efforts in the Philippines and Tanzania and the organizing for C189. It also includes interviews with Myrtle Witbooi, IDWN Chair and Vicky Kanyoka, IDWN Africa Regional Coordinator, to discuss the work of IDWN.

For more information: Campaigning for Justice: Human Rights Advocacy in Practice

Namibian DWs shared their heart-breaking stories in a government commission hearing

30 October, 2012

NAMIBIA -

The Namibia Government's Wages Commission on Minimum Wages for Domestic Workers held its final hearings on Oct 26 in Windhoek.  Over 60 people attended the meeting and many complained that wages were too low to support their families and the impact on their children.

The five Commissioners and Ministry of Labour officials were shocked and moved by the  stories they heard.  Dr Libertina Amathila, Commission Chair, said "we are determined to find practical solutions to the problems we have in Namibia. We want to put good effective legislation in place. We need to ensure that the law is implemented by private employers. I want to know that when Namibia ratifies C189 the Government will be able to honour all the standards set in this important Convention".

HRW: Domestic workers in Bahrain excluded from key protections

29 October, 2012

BAHRAIN -

HRW has shown serious concern regarding domestic workers, as their major concerns — establishing maximum daily and weekly work hours, and weekly days off — were not included in the private sector labour law of 2012. “Domestic workers are excluded from key protections like physical or sexual violence and abuses,” said deputy director Middle East and North Africa Joe Stork. The global rights organisation has questioned the Bahraini government regarding the impunity granted to abusers. “There is no prosecution and enforcement of penalties for employers,” it said.

Jeanne Devos: The Voice of Indian Domestic Workers

27 October, 2012

INDIA -

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.

Bolivia Senate Endorsed Ratification of C189

26 October, 2012

BOLIVIA -

In Bolivia, the Senate endorsed the ratification of C189 on October 25.  It now needs to be promulgated by the President Morales and that is expected to be next week.

Domestic workers in Europe falling through the loopholes

25 October, 2012

EUROPE -

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."

DWRN urged the government protecting domestic workers

23 October, 2012

BANGLADESH -

Domestic Workers' Rights Network (DWRN) organised the human chain on October 22 in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

They 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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