Latin America
Global: On International Domestic Workers' Day, Turn Rights into Reality
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 28, 2016 04:41 PMOn International Domestic Workers’ Day, we celebrate a growing movement to assert the rights of this vast but hidden workforce. An estimated 67.1 million people are employed in domestic work around the world, most of them women. They cook, clean, and care for children and the elderly. But working behind closed doors in private homes, many have few legal protections and regularly experience exploitation and abuse.
Global: Today is International #DomesticWorkersDay – 5 years after the convention
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 28, 2016 03:51 PMOn June 16 2011, the ILO adopted Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers and its accompanying Recommendation 201. Since then, after a slow start progress has been made: 22 countries have ratified the convention, more than 30 have extended legislative protections to domestic workers.
Trinidad and Tobago: A First Step Toward Strengthening Domestic Workers' Cooperatives
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 27, 2016 05:51 PMIn Trinidad and Tobago, domestic work (estimated at 30,000 employees by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago) is a growing sector. The members of the National Union of Domestic Workers (NUDE) formed Service Workers Centre Cooperative Society (SWCCS) in 2014 for improved benefits and working conditions and to have a legal entity for domestic workers that is recognized by employers. Domestic workers’ participation in a democratic workplace upholds their rights as workers and as citizens of our society. The work of the ILO on this topic is guided by the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) , which to date has been adopted by 22 countries.
Argentina: UPACP supports the My Fair Home and asks the government to respect domestic workers' rights!
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 16, 2016 11:25 PMUnión Personal Auxiliar de Casas Particulares (UPACP), an IDWF affiliate, shows their support to My Fair Home and will try to get the Ministry to join the campaign.
Global: End child labour in supply chains - It's everyone's business!
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 12, 2016 11:32 PMThis year, the focus for World Day Against Child Labour – marked on 12 June - is on child labour and supply chains. With 168 million children still in child labour, all supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing, services to construction, run the risk that child labour may be present.
Argentina: Continues the second year of tripartite discussions on wages and key issues on domestic work
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 12, 2016 07:18 PMThis year, Argentina continues the second year of tripartite discussions on wages and key issues on domestic work. With these discussions they were able to achieve a subsidy of 50 percent discount on transportation and a discount on gas and water services for the sector.
Chile: "Open your door to the dignity of your domestic worker"
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 12, 2016 06:53 PMIn Chile, the campaign "Open your door to the dignity of your domestic worker" was launched as the sector continues to work closely with employers since the legislative achievements of the Law 20.786 and C189, which entered into force on 10 June 2016.
Global: This June 16, we call upon the employers of domestic workers to support the rights of domestic workers, says Elizabeth Tang
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 12, 2016 05:21 PMWe know there are many people in our communities who respect our work and our dignity as human beings. Let’s all advance the "My Fair Home" campaign. Encourage your members to talk to their employers to make the pledge.
Global: Let us keep on fighting and campaigning for our rights, says Myrtle Witbooi
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 12, 2016 05:22 PM"What we won in 2011 was the road to our freedom. Let us keep on fighting and campaigning for our rights. 16th June is ours, so let us free ourselves."
Global: International Domestic Workers Day 2016 June 16 - International Launch of the My Fair Home Campaign
— by IDWFED — last modified Aug 22, 2016 06:38 PMThis year on June 16, the IDWF will launch the My Fair Home campaign internationally jointly with the My Fair Home champions.
Mexico: CACEH is a champion of My Fair Home!
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 17, 2016 09:52 PMCentro de Apoyo y Capacitación para Empleadas del Hogar (CACEH), Mexico is a champion of My Fair Home!
Global: Free online lecture on "Organizing migrant domestic workers"
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 07, 2016 04:32 PMUN Women Training Centre is hosting a series of free online lectures and one of them is "Organizing migrant domestic workers" on June 7 by Elizabeth Tang, IDWF General Secretary.
Global: International cooperation is essential to promote migrant domestic workers' rights
— by IDWFED — last modified Jun 07, 2016 09:22 PMSharing good practice and experience in both countries sending and receiving workers is key to improve migrant domestic workers’ rights, says Maria Elena Valenzuela, Project Coordinator, ILO Global Action Programme on Migrant Domestic Workers and Their families. outlines the findings of the latest research on the impact of stress in the workplace.
Peru: Vote for Ernestina Ochoa - In Merit to a Life Dedicated to the Promotion of Women's Rights and access to Real Gender Equality
— by IDWFED — last modified May 19, 2016 05:25 PMErnestina Ochoa, IDWF Vice President, is currently as one of candidates of the XIII Award to the "Order of Merit to Women 2016" - In Merit to a Life Dedicated to the Promotion of Women's Rights and access to Real Gender Equality, hosted by The Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP), Peru.
Netherlands: Request to donate money to undocumented domestic workers activists
— by IDWFED — last modified May 17, 2016 02:02 PMWe are protesting against the deportation of two strong women who have been defending domestic workers' rights!
Global: "Let us work together and make life for domestic workers change for the better."
— by IDWFED — last modified May 16, 2016 06:50 PMThe Global Action Programme on Migrant Domestic Workers and their Families seeks to promote the human and labour rights of migrant domestic workers worldwide by addressing the challenges that make migrant domestic workers particularly vulnerable to the risks of exploitation and abuse.
CSW60: Investment in social protections for care work will make our societies more just, equal, and healthy, says Jill Shenker
— by IDWFED — last modified May 17, 2017 10:31 PMRemarks by Jill Shenker, North America Coordinator for the International Domestic Workers Federation, who spoke about the need to value care work.
CSW60: Human trafficking must be called by its true name - modern slavery - a dishonor of our common humanity, says Shirley Pryce
— by IDWFED — last modified May 17, 2017 10:35 PMShirley Pryce (Jamaica Household Workers Union, Caribbean Domestic Workers Network, International Domestic Workers Federation) spoke at the UN Commission on the Status of Women 60 (2016) panel on Combatting the Trafficking of Women and Girls: What Role Can the Private Sector Play in Addressing and Preventing Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery?
CSW60: Domestic work is the work that makes all other work possible, says Allison Julien
— by IDWFED — last modified May 17, 2017 10:34 PMOn March 16, Allison Julien, a domestic worker, gave public comment at the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment during the Commission on the Status of Women. She was unable to complete her statement, despite being the only worker to provide comment. Here is her complete statement. You can watch the full discussion, including Allison’s statement around minute 50 here.
Trinidad and Tobago: Domestic workers want some real support
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 23, 2016 04:58 PMIda Le Blanc, General Secretary National Union of Domestic Employees (N.U.D.E.) was interviewed by itciloTV talking about the situation and struggle of domestic workers in Trinidad and Tobago.
Global: 90 per cent of domestic workers excluded from social protection, says ILO
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 21, 2016 05:08 PM60 million of the world’s 67 million domestic workers still do not have access to any kind of social security coverage, says a new ILO study entitled “Social protection for domestic workers: Key policy trends and statistics ”.
Global: We celebrate domestic worker leaders around the world on International Women's Day
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 08, 2016 05:32 PMThis year, in celebration of March 8th International Women’s Day, we’re excited to introduce you to some of our new leaders across the IDWF. The IDWF is proud to be led by them. With such organizing, our future is hopeful. On this International Women’s Day, we salute these leaders and the many contributions they are bringing to the movement.
Mexico: Profile of Ana Laura Aquino Gaspar
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 07, 2016 05:23 PMAna Laura Aquino Gaspar, born October 23, 1975 in Mexico City to parents from Oaxaca, a southern Mexican state. She began working as a domestic worker at the age of 13 for a 3 member family where she didn’t even have a place to sleep other than the floor of the living room. Ana Laura worked in various household with families that did not treat her well, she faced discrimination, violation of her rights, and child labor exploitation with overwork and very long days.
Mexico: Domestic Workers Organize to Fight for Their Rights
— by IDWFED — last modified Apr 11, 2016 06:12 PMOne of Mexico's largest informal labor sectors is that of home or domestic workers, which amounts to nearly 3.5 million people and 95% are women. This sector is considered to be almost invisible in terms of its rights being guaranteed and protected. However one civil organization has struggled for years to finally win a legal victory that has now granted this sector a formal labor union, an unprecedented reality for Mexico.
Latin America: For domestic workers, a push for rights gains ground
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 15, 2016 04:28 PMOrganized groups of domestic workers have been fighting for employment contracts, health care, pensions, and other protections.
Global: ITC-ILO Training on "Decent Work for Domestic Workers" in 2016
— by IDWFED — last modified Mar 24, 2016 04:04 PMDo you want to know how to make decent work a reality for domestic workers in your country? Apply now for ITC-ILO Training on "Decent Work for Domestic Workers".
Global: New Year message from Myrtle Witbooi, IDWF President & Elizabeth Tang, IDWF General Secretary
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 17, 2016 05:14 PMThe last year was an extremely important year for IDWF. It was a year of rapid growth, both in terms of membership size and leadership formation. It was evident as domestic worker leaders came together at regional workshops and meetings to discuss strategies, share stories, and make plans. The IDWF became better known and we are working together with increasing numbers of trade unions and other allies.
Colombia: A domestic worker's Peaceful Rebellion
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 05, 2016 10:02 PMMs. Roa’s movement is one example of what’s needed. “It was profound inequality that precipitated the conflict,” said Viviana Osorio, a lawyer and labor leader in Medellín who has worked with Ms. Roa. “If that doesn’t change, we won’t have lasting and sustainable peace.”
Global: Message from Myrtle to all workers at the end of 2015
— by IDWFED — last modified Dec 21, 2015 05:22 PMLet us take a moment to say thank you and salute all for the achievements over the last year.
Global: Awarding Excellence in Reporting Fairly on Labour Migration
— by IDWFED — last modified Jan 05, 2016 09:10 PMTo mark this year’s International Migrants Day, the ILO, in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are pleased to announce the results of the competition showcasing excellence in media reporting on labour migration. The winner for the category “Professional Journalist” went to Ángeles Mariscal and Moysés Zuñiga and their article about Guatemalan domestic workers.