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There are moments in life that stay with you forever, moments that remind you why you chose this path, why you keep going despite the challenges, and why the work you do truly matters. One of my proudest achievements is being able to help rescue my fellow domestic workers from abusive employers. It is not something I say lightly. Behind every rescue is a story of fear, silence, and pain that no one should ever have to endure. And yet, for many domestic workers, this is a real

How do we truly create fairer and more respectful working conditions? This question is not just for employers, or for workers, or for governments alone, it is a shared responsibility. It is a call for all of us to come together and build something better, something more humane, something rooted in dignity. Creating a safe and respectful working environment does not happen overnight. It requires intention. It requires compassion. And most importantly, it requires action, from

As one of the trustees of this organisation and as a proud domestic worker, I carry both responsibility and hope in my heart. My journey is deeply intertwined with the very people we serve. I have lived the same realities, faced the same uncertainties, and carried the same quiet resilience that so many domestic workers hold every single day. That is why my vision for this organisation goes beyond simply responding to hardship. I dream of a future where our work becomes a brid

Hello. My name is Marigold Balquen. I carry many roles with pride. I am a board trustee of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW), and I lead the Fundraising and Socialising Working Group. But beyond these titles, I am someone whose life has been deeply shaped, transformed, and given purpose through this community. Today, I want to share not just what I do, but what it truly feels like to be part of this extraordinary organization. My Role as a Trustee and Working Group Leader

April 6, which marks the anniversary of the removal of rights from Overseas Domestic Workers, migrant domestic workers, and allies, will stage a powerful Suffragette inspired static protest in central London, demanding the restoration of rights lost in 2012 on April 20 at 11.30 AM in Old Palace Yard, in front of UK Parliament.    The action marks 14 years since the UK government stripped domestic workers of the basic protections that safeguard against exploitation, leaving th

For a long time, I struggled to find my voice. Like many domestic workers, I spent most of my time focusing on my responsibilities, working hard, doing my best, and trying not to cause problems. I believed that if I stayed quiet, worked diligently, and always said yes, everything would be fine. But inside, I was carrying many feelings I did not know how to express. When I first joined The Voice of Domestic Workers, I did not realize how much it would change my life. At the be

Protecting domestic workers is not just a responsibility in my role, it is a commitment that comes from the heart. Every decision I make and every action I take is guided by the belief that domestic workers deserve dignity, safety, and respect in their workplaces and in their lives. Many domestic workers travel far from home, leaving behind their families and everything familiar, in order to support loved ones and build a better future. Because of this sacrifice, it is essent

Throughout my journey with The Voice of Domestic Workers, I feel grateful and proud to say that, in my own small way, I have been able to contribute to the organization and the community that has given me so much. When I first became part of this movement, I never imagined that I would one day play a role in helping others. At the beginning, I was simply looking for support, understanding, and a place where I could feel safe. But as time passed, I realized that being part of

One of my proudest achievements has been helping to rescue my fellow domestic workers from abusive employers. It is a responsibility that weighs heavily, but also one that brings incredible fulfillment. Rescuing a domestic worker is not just an action, it is an act of compassion, solidarity, and hope. I will never forget the moments when I saw tears streaming down their faces as they shared their stories of suffering. When they turned to me and whispered, “Thank you,” my hear

Domestic workers are an essential part of many households and communities, yet their work is often misunderstood or undervalued. For a long time, domestic work has been surrounded by stereotypes that make it seem simple or unskilled. Because much of this work happens inside private homes, it is often invisible to the wider public. As a result, many people fail to recognize just how much responsibility, dedication, and emotional effort domestic workers bring to their roles eve

Before the sun rises, I am already awake, in a place that will never feel like my own. I am a Filipino mother with tired hands, carrying strength I never asked for. I left the Philippines with a silent prayer, my children are asleep in my heart. They were still small when I said goodbye, I missed birthdays and school stages, first medals, heartbreaks, and dreams. I watched them grow through a screen, loving them from far away. My days are long, my nights even longer. Loneline

My name is Marigold Balquen. This is my story and my call for justice In 2013, I made the hardest decision of my life, I escaped from an abusive employer in the UK, hoping for safety and dignity. Instead, I found myself undocumented and terrified. One of thousands of domestic workers forced to survive in the shadows because the very law that once protected us had been taken away. Before 2012, the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa gave women like me the right to leave abusive empl

Hope for the Future of The Voice of Domestic Workers As a trustee of The Voice of Domestic Workers, I am continually inspired by the remarkable strength, courage, and resilience of the women who form our community. Every day, I witness their determination to survive, thrive, and lift each other up in the face of immense challenges. Our organisation is more than just a support network, it is a beacon of hope and solidarity for Britain’s thousands of migrant domestic workers. W

Leaving home to work in another country is never an easy decision. For many domestic workers like me, it means saying goodbye to our families, our children, and the everyday moments we wish we could share with them. Yet we make this sacrifice with hope in our hearts. We travel far from home so we can provide a better life for the people we love. We take on the responsibility of caring for other families while carrying the quiet longing to be with our own. Domestic workers pla

Domestic workers are the quiet foundation of countless homes around the world. Every day, they dedicate their time, effort, and care to supporting families and maintaining the spaces where life unfolds. They sweep the floors, prepare meals, wash clothes, care for children, and often look after elderly family members with patience and compassion. Their work allows parents to focus on their jobs, children to grow in safe environments, and households to function smoothly. Yet de

Joining The Voice of Domestic Workers has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Before I became part of this organization, I often felt small, unheard, and uncertain. I struggled to speak up at work, unsure of my rights or how to express my feelings. Fear controlled me, fear of losing my job, fear of losing friendships, fear of disappointing family members, even fear of speaking my truth. I said “yes” to everything, even when I wanted to say “no.” My pol

When I think about the different parts of this campaign, one right stands out as the most vital, the right for domestic workers to change employers freely without risking their legal status, safety, or income. On the surface, it may seem like just a rule on paper. But for migrant and overseas workers, this right is life-changing. It addresses a profound imbalance of power, where a single employer can hold immense control over a worker’s life, over their job, their stay in the

I will never forget the day I first joined The Voice of Domestic Workers. That moment was more than just an introduction to an organization, it marked the beginning of a life-changing journey. Before joining, I often felt invisible, isolated, and unsure of my place in the world. My work was demanding, my voice was quiet, and I didn’t fully understand my rights. I felt alone in my struggles, carrying responsibilities far from home, with no clear support or guidance. From the v

I love The Voice of Domestic Workers because it gave me something I did not even realize I was searching for a true sense of belonging. For many domestic workers, life can feel isolating. We work behind closed doors, inside private homes, often far away from our own families and support systems. Our work is essential, yet invisible. Our sacrifices are great, yet rarely acknowledged. There are days when it feels as though the world moves forward without ever noticing the hands

For many domestic workers, a visa is more than just a document. It is safety. It is stability. It is survival. The right to renew a visa is not simply an administrative process, it is the difference between living with dignity and living in fear. When domestic workers are allowed to renew their visas, they are able to stay and work legally in the country where they have built their lives. This legal status protects them under labor laws and gives them the security every worke