1st battle Won! A DW Convention supplemented by recommendation

Tripartite battles update:

One of the governments put in an amendment to the text to have a recommendation instead of a Convention supplemented by a Recommendation.
Other governments supporting this weak position. Among their reasons for objection is that it’s hard to inspect.

Some governments felt that DWs lacked strong affirmation of their rights, they experience more exclusion of laws rather than coverage of the law. If there’s no Convention, there will be no ratification. Monitoring of Occupation safety and health, can be complaint driven too not necessary involve inspection to homes.

In the end, the Committee decide to go for a voting.

Brazil government request for 15 minutes additional time as some governments are not present to vote. Proposal Supported by workers, opposed by Employers.

Another motion to go for a vote on Brazil’s proposal for additional time. During the voting session, each country’s name is called and they vote through shouting their vote YES/NO. For workers and employer delegation, names of the delegates will be called, that’s why if someone walk out for a few minutes, they might miss their chance to vote.

In the end, the motion for a delay for governments to find more of their members to join the voting won with a simple majority.
Finally, the vote to support/ oppose the proposal for Recommendation- WE WON, majority governments and trade union vote against the proposal, which means the original text for A Convention Supplemented by Recommendation ACCEPTED!

But we should not be overjoyed, because governments, trade unions and employers will have a final secret ballot towards the end of the ILC, UNTIL then, some governments might change their mind!

Update by Vivian (CARAM - Asia)

Advance Domestic Worker Rights!

UFDWR would like to thank all the organisations that recently endorsed the 'Advance Domestic Worker Rights' statement and recommendations. We received over 100 endorsements. A handout which folds out into this poster on the back was printed containing the information and will be distributed at the ILC and other future events.

If you would like copies to distribute at your domestic worker event please contact APWLD at apwld@apwld.org

Saya Migran Comics

Saya Migran is a domestic worker's guide to understanding and asserting our rights. Saya Migran personifies the campaign for the recognition of domestic work as work. This comics is a project to raise awareness and educate every migrant worker on the various rights of our sector. Published by network members of the United for Foreign Domestic Workers Rights. Click here to download the comic.

DOMESTIC WORKERS RIGHTS 124 YEARS OVERDUE

KUALA LUMPUR 1 May, 2010: The first May Day in 1886 celebrated the successful struggle for an 8 hour work day. Today International Workers' Day is celebrated as a public holiday throughout the world while most migrant domestic workers are still working about 12-16 hours a day, without a day off. For hundreds of millions of domestic workers however, decent working conditions are 124 years behind. Read...

100 Years old Women’s Day: Migrant Women Robbed Off Rights

KUALA LUMPUR 8 March, 2010: 100 years after the world recognized the role of women in society, women are still robbed off their rights. Read...

Human Rights for Migrant Domestic Workers

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Dec 2009: As the world marks International Human Rights Day today, CARAM Asia launches an online petition campaign seeking crucial support and commitment from every employer to grant a weekly paid day off to their migrant domestic worker (MDW). From today onwards, the online campaign will be featured for 30 days on the major media online sites based in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Middle East:


1. http://www.malaysiakini.com/
2. http://theonlinecitizen.com/
3. http://www.prachatai.com/
4. http://www.thestandard.com.hk/
5. http://english.aljazeera.net/

A simple click is all is needed to grant a basic fundamental right to one of the most vulnerable group of human beings today..: http://www.petitiononline.com/adayoff/petition.html
Read more...

Rights for Foreign Domestic Workers Must be Enshrined in Law

Letter By CARAM Asia:
The recent decision by the Indonesian government to temporarily halt the sending of domestic workers highlights the increasing call to readdress the protection framework of foreign domestic workers (FDW). While this initial move will hopefully make the Malaysian government readdress the social, political and health rights of FDW, any permanent banning will lead to an increase in migrants resorting to undocumented means in efforts to support their families. Read More...