News

USA -

DWU was one of the founding members of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), when we came together in 2007. They have helped lead the way for domestic workers to come out of the shadows and win decades-long exclusion from labor protections — not just in New York, but nation-wide.

DWU’s foundational story is a model for our movement — one that cuts across racial, ethnic and cultural lines. DWU was organized in 2000 by members of two immigrant women’s organizations — the Women Workers Project of CAAAV, a Filipina domestic workers organization, and Andolan Organizing South Asian Workers, a South Asian domestic workers group. That spirit of unity across lines that could divide vulnerable workers carries forward. In 2010, DWU represented NDWA as a founding member of the International Domestic Workers Network.

We are proud to honor DWU for their tireless work on behalf of domestic workers rights at LEADING WITH LOVE: Celebrating 5 Years of NDWA on November 14th in Washington DC.  It’s time to celebrate all this collective achievement and give special recognition to leaders who have been at the forefront, powering all that we do.

Join us for LEADING WITH LOVE!

Complete event information at www.domesticworkers.org/leadingwithlove.

INDIA -

By Mehru Vesuvala

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.

The “Rate Card” has been negotiated between representatives of employers and domestic workers employees on rates and guideline policies for hiring domestic workers. 

This is only a small beginning and is only an initiative by residents of an apartment condominium.  The rates are from India’s point of view, is pretty good, for the mean time.  When it is possible for domestic workers to earn salaries in India equivalent to what they earn in the Gulf; and they can stay in their own country and enjoy better terms and conditions, domestic workers will have more flexibility to decide where they want to work.

BAHRAIN -

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.

The new labor law is also the first to protect the rights of domestic workers. Domestic workers are entitled to contracts and vacation days. They have the right to petition if employers violate their rights, and they are also entitled to join trade unions. If unemployed, the government will pay expat workers 60 percent of their basic salary until they find new employment.

"Including domestic workers (even though it is in a limited capacity) under Bahrain Labour Laws is a step in the right direction. However, the implementation will be very important. Laws are effective only when there is compliance and enforcement," said Mehru Vesuvala, an active community volunteer in India.