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Labor Leader Ai-jen Poo: We Are All Domestic Workers Now

26 April, 2013

USA -

The past decade has seen a surge of organizing by domestic workers in the United States. These workers, who care for children, senior citizens and disabled people in their homes, are explicitly excluded from many of the basic protections of federal labor law, including union organizing rights. Their job is characterized by low wages, long hours and meager benefits, and it’s among the fastest-growing in the US economy. Last Friday, The Nation sat down with Ai-jen Poo, a founder of New York’s Domestic Workers United, who now directs the National Domestic Workers Alliance. We discussed some disappointments dealt by Democratic politicians, the challenges of sustaining non-union labor groups and how to confront the coming care crisis. What follows is a condensed and edited version of our conversation.

Migration of female domestic workers

25 April, 2013

​BANGLADESH -

Bangladeshi workers, employed abroad, are the largest foreign exchange earners, in net terms, for the country. They deserve full appreciation. But media reports have recently exposed the kind of horrifying sexual abuses that the country's expatriate women workforce sometimes suffers. The country certainly needs foreign exchange but the ignominy that women workers are subjected to, tarnishes its image.

Urgent call for signatories to Indonesian government

24 April, 2013

INDONESIA -

An urgent call for signatories to Indonesian government to adopt Domestic Workers Bill and ratify ILO Convention 189.  This is a crucial time as the domestic workers bill is now on the agenda at the parliament.

The call is drafted by KAPPRT / BM, the Action Committee for Protectino of Domestic Workers and Migrant Workers. The committee was established in 2002 getting the main trade union centres, domestic workers unions and organizations, advocacy groups joined together.

Migrant domestic workers exploited

23 April, 2013

​NEPAL -

Migrant domestic workers have been the most vulnerable lot in the world, no matter whether the job destination is a developed or a developing country. Half of the migrant domestic workers in the United Kingdom have suffered from exploitation, a report said.

According to rights-based organisations Justice for Domestic Workers and Kalayaan, about 21 per cent migrant domestic workers have been kept as forced labour as their employer holds their passports. Similarly, 55 per cent of them do not have a day-off facility.

Formalisation of Domestic Work has a Positive Impact on the Economy and Poverty Reduction

22 April, 2013

BRAZIL -

UN Women, the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) launch a study on the impacts of the adoption of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) for Domestic Houseworkers.

The Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) for Domestic Houseworkers intends to equalize the rights of employees to those of other domestic workers in Brazil. Although the PEC passed into the second round by the Brazilian senate in the past week and has been enacted today, the PEC still produces abundant controversy. In particular, one of the recurring issues of concern related to the formalization of domestic work is the increase in the cost of hiring domestic services. This cost increase may be problematic as it could lead to a reduction in demand, possibly resulting in massive layoffs and more informal work. On the other hand, the study supports the assertion that the PEC and the formalization of domestic work may correct a historical debt to millions of Brazilian women and generate economic growth for the country.

DOLE Kalinga to hold consultation on Kasambahay Act

22 April, 2013

​PHILIPPINES -

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Kalinga will conduct a public consultation on the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) of the Kasambahay Act, a new law benefiting household workers, on April 15 here.

Indian domestic workers in struggle for equality

21 April, 2013

INDIA -

Domestic workers in India often work long hours for several employers, but they are not recognised under the country's labour laws.  They are not usually entitled to paid holidays, pensions and other perks that workers might normally expect.

Now some groups are calling on the government to do more to protect them, as Yogita Limaye reports.

The earning years of childhood

21 April, 2013

INDIA -

Fifty bonded child labourers rescued from Gunny bag factories. Two minor domestic workers saved, but in bad shape.

When such news headlines hog the media spotlight, there is a slight stir in the collective conscience of the people.  But in Bangalore, like many other cities, we have all seen them serving us, be it in a hotel, a garage or a construction site.

Bangalore is home to two lakh child labourers as per the ballpark field estimate by NGOs and activists. Every single day, 18 missing children arrive at the Majestic railway station alone, points out a recent study done by a city based NGO.

Nagashima, a vocal voice on child rights in the city and also convener of Campaign Against Child Labour- Karnataka said, “If this is the data coming from one railway station, imagine what we are missing?”

Researchers highlight ordeals of child domestic workers

21 April, 2013

​ETHIOPIA -

The International Labor Organization estimates show that around 215 million children below the age of 18 are subjected to different kinds of labor. Many of the these children are involved in child domestic service.  While the majority of these child and domestic workers are found in urban areas, they mostly originate from rural areas. Researchers say that most these adolescent workers are female and poorly or not educated at all.

Researchers say the international community must invest more in studying millions of children who enter domestic work because of poverty. These children work long hours for little pay and are subjected to abuse and exploitation.

Promoting Labor Rights for Women Domestic Workers

20 April, 2013

USA -

BY Barbara Shailor

In recognition of domestic workers, and all the women whom I have met during my tenure at the State Department, I reaffirm the commitment of the United States to extend the rights of workers as widely as possible. We will continue to partner with governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote the rights of women workers and to ensure their economic inclusion and the empowerment of all to claim the rights, protections, and respect they deserve.

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