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by IDWFED published Oct 14, 2014 04:45 PM
Hong Kong: Domestic Workers won $180 Pay Rise in September

Hong Kong: Domestic Workers won $180 Pay Rise in September

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:27 PM

Foreign domestic workers have won a HK$ 180 pay rise to HK$ 3,920 a month with new contracts from today. The 4.8 percent increase is their biggest in years.

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Mauritius: Third Country to Ratify C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:30 PM

Mauritius has ratified C189. It is the third country after Uruguay and the Philippines.

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Philippines: Remittances by Filipinos overseas up 5.4% to $1.81B in July

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:36 PM

Overseas Filipinos sent $11.9 B in first 7 months

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Nicaragua: National Assembly has received the motion to ratify the C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:51 PM

On the progress of the ratification of C189 in Nicaragua, the National Assembly has received the motion to ratify the C189. Despite support from its Minister of Labour, the National Assembly has yet to resolve some contentious issues such as working hours and minimum wage.

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USA: Trafficked domestic worker allowed to stay in US after winning settlement against diplomat

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 05, 2015 03:46 PM

“I want people to realize that this is really happening here in America to domestic workers,” said Dema at a September 13 press conference organized by Damayan and the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center.

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Philippines: A Filipino overseas worker, who just arrived from Syria, weeps after arriving at airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila

Philippines: A Filipino overseas worker, who just arrived from Syria, weeps after arriving at airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:27 PM

A Filipino overseas worker, who just arrived from Syria, weeps after arriving at Ninoy Aquino International airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila September 11, 2012.

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Nepal: Is Nepal's New Labor Ban Futile?

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:33 PM

Nepal and the Philippines recently announced intentions to reduce labor migration to the Gulf. Nepal will begin prohibiting female under the age of 30 from migrating to the region, while the Philippines is seeking to gradually terminate domestic worker migration to all nations over the next five years. Nepal’s ban on workers to the Gulf applies only to females under the age of 30. This number seems rather arbitrary, as domestic workers of all ages face the same difficulties.

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India: Receives $66.13bn In Remittances in the year 2011-12

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:38 PM

India received over $66.13 billion in remittances in the year 2011-12 as compared to $55.62bn in the previous, a hike of 19 per cent. "We have received $66.13 bn in remittances in 2011-12," Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

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USA: Give better pay to home care workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:44 PM

More than 90% of Americans agree that senior citizens should be able to age in their homes and communities. You don't want to visit your grandparents in a nursing home any more than they want to live there. But for the stay-at-home elderly to have so-called "independent living" they must be highly dependent on the home care aides who look after medication schedules, cook meals, assist with bathing and generally keep them happy and healthy.

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Philippines: The House of Representatives approves 'Kasambahay Bill'

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 06, 2015 09:49 PM

On 5 September 2012, the Philippine House of Representatives on its third and final reading approved House Bill (HB) 6144, a bill which when passed into law will provide protection for the 1.9 million domestic workers (kasambahay) in the country. The Kasambahay bill requires employers provide three basic necessities—board, lodging and medical assistance—to their domestic workers. Besides, the bill is to ensure that domestic workers have access to basic education. It also guarantees that the privacy of domestic workers are respected as well as their right to a daily rest and weekly day off.

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Global: International treaty on domestic workers' rights to come into force next year

Global: International treaty on domestic workers' rights to come into force next year

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:01 PM

"Today's ratification by the Philippines sends a powerful signal to the millions of domestic workers who will be protected when the Convention comes into force," said ILO’s Director-General, Juan Somavia. "I hope it will also send a signal to other Member States and that we will soon see more and more countries committing to protect the rights of domestic workers."

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India: Amended the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill to Cover Domestic Workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:04 PM

On 3 September 2012, the Lok Sabha passed a major bill, The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2010, piloted by Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath, on protection of women against sexual harassment at workplace along with two other legislations without debate.

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USA: We did it - California Senate Passes Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

by IDWFED — last modified Feb 03, 2016 05:00 PM

Last night, the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights passed in the State Senate, and is headed to the governor's desk. The largest state in the country is one signature away from providing long-overdue respect and recognition to the 250,000 domestic workers who care for children, houses, and elders.

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USA: Domestic workers need the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights because we deserve respect, recognition, and dignity

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:12 PM

"They hired me to take care of their elderly parents but then expected me to cook, clean, and care for the entire family. And they were very disrespectful to me. I did all I could to make sure their needs were met, and it was important to me that their aging family members felt loved and respected. But it hurt me, especially as a Filipina taking care of a Filipino family, that I was not given that same basic respect. That’s what this is all about. Our work makes all other work possible; we need the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights because we deserve respect, recognition, and dignity."

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India: Creation of a National Platform for a comprehensive legislation for domestic workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:28 PM

It has come to our notice that the MOLE has recently accepted domestic work as an employment category. Domestic workers are also meant to be included in the RSBY though several states have not implemented this. While these are commendable steps, these are all piecemeal measures that do not ensure the workers their rights as stated in the Convention. Considering the vulnerability of the sector and the unorganized nature of their work these workers will not achieve social protection unless they are covered by a Central Legislation.

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USA: Low Benefits, Temporary Jobs - Work Is Getting Worse...But Hope for Labor Rights Is Emerging from a Surprising Place

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:36 PM

A special Labor Day interview with domestic workers organizer Ai-Jen Poo, one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2012.

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Peru: A Step Forward to Ratification

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:43 PM

On 24 August, Leddy Mozombite Linares, President of the domestic workers’ union SINTTRAHOL, met with the Vice President of the National Congress, Marisol Espinoza, who later issued a plea to the Congress to make ratification of C189 top priority for the country.

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Bolivia: Close to ratifying C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:46 PM

On 21 August, the Bolivian House of Representatives has unanimously passed a Bill on the Ratification of C189.

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Hong Kong: Concerned groups urged the Indonesian government to implement UN CEDAW Committee recommendations promptly

Hong Kong: Concerned groups urged the Indonesian government to implement UN CEDAW Committee recommendations promptly

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 12, 2015 02:44 PM

Amnesty International Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (IMWU) and International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) today urged the Indonesian government to implement these recommendations promptly. Moreover, the Hong Kong government, in cooperation with the Indonesian Consulate, must rectify failures in its mechanisms to protect domestic workers from labour exploitation by recruiters and employers.

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Philippines: The second country after Uruguay Ratifies C189!

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 12, 2015 02:29 PM

The Philippines has ratified the C189, becoming the second country to do so. The Senate voted in favor of the Convention on Monday, 6th August 2012 when the Bill was submitted for the final reading at the Session.

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Philippines: Implementing C189 in the country

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 10, 2015 05:55 PM

Since ratification on 6 August, the Senate has now agreed a new national Domestic Workers Bill. However, it is still pending at the House of Representatives.

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USA: Domestic Workers Win Recognition - NDWA won regional award at the Classy Awards!‏

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 12, 2015 03:00 PM

The National Domestic Workers Alliance won the Classy Award in the Western Region, in the Human Rights Category. The Classy Awards is the largest philanthropic awards ceremony in the country. Being chosen as a CLASSY Award Regional Winner is a testament to the courage and determination of the thousands of everyday heroines who make up NDWA.

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Peru: Unions campaign together sending a joint letter to the president

Peru: Unions campaign together sending a joint letter to the president

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 12, 2015 03:28 PM

On July 28, the two major domestic workers trade unions in Peru, SINTTRAHOL and SINTRAHOGARP with support from the two trade unions national centres, CUT and CGTP, and other allied organizations, sent a joint letter to the president of the country to demand ratification of the C189. Since the IDWN and Global Network Conference on Domestic Workers held on April 15, the two domestic workers unions have been working together to campaign for the ratification of C189.

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Global: 2012 June 16 - International Domestic Workers Day Celebrations and actions around the world

Global: 2012 June 16 - International Domestic Workers Day Celebrations and actions around the world

by IDWFED — last modified Feb 17, 2016 06:35 PM

The first ever International Domestic Workers’ Day was celebrated on June 16 in countries in every continent– in Canada, Peru, South Africa, India, Belgium, and so on. Over 50 organizations of domestic workers, trade unions and other civil society groups across the world held activities.

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Global: IUF Resolution on decent work and dignity for Domestic Workers

Global: IUF Resolution on decent work and dignity for Domestic Workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 12, 2015 04:05 PM

Welcomes the adoption of the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers (No. 189) and Recommendation (No. 201) by the 100th annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 16 June 2011.

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Philippines: Urge the Government to Ratify C189 within the next month

Philippines: Urge the Government to Ratify C189 within the next month

by IDWFED — last modified Jan 11, 2016 05:36 PM

Please convey a message immediately to the Government of the Philippines to hasten the process so that the C189 will be ratified within the next three months. You may write or request a meeting to the Filipino Consulate in your country.

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South Africa: One step closer to C189 ratification

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 13, 2015 03:45 PM

SADSAWU applauds NEDLAC and is urging their government to speed up the process. The South African government and its partners was a leading force in the negotiations in June 2011 at the ILO conference. This will be indeed a celebration for all domestic workers in South Africa and the World on the 16th June 2012, if South Africa ratifies this Convention 189 and all other African countries will do the same.

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Switzerland: The country should ratify C189

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 13, 2015 04:35 PM

Domestic workers and home nurses need above all more rights and obligatory standards, Sarah Schilliger of the Institute for Sociology Basel says, who is writing her thesis about 24-hour-nurses from Eastern Europe. Households today are not part of the work law.

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Switzerland: IDWN Delegation at the IUF Women Conference and the 26th Congress

Switzerland: IDWN Delegation at the IUF Women Conference and the 26th Congress

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 13, 2015 04:14 PM

Myrtle Witbooi, the Chair of the IDWN, addressed the Congress by thanking the IUF for its support to build a strong IDWN and in the ratification campaign. She informed the Congress that her government of South Africa will soon ratify the C189.

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USA: Celebrating Mother's Day by protesting for the rights of domestic workers

by IDWFED — last modified Nov 13, 2015 04:31 PM

Domestic workers ask senators to approve the bill of rights.

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