Blog

There are moments in life that arrive quietly, without grand announcement, and yet they leave a mark on your heart that no amount of time can erase. For many domestic workers, a hiking trip might seem like a small thing to the outside world. But for those who have spent years giving everything they have inside the walls of someone else's home, stepping outside into open air, surrounded by friends who truly understand your journey, is nothing short of extraordinary. The excite

Last Sunday, the heart of London was filled with colour, music, and the unstoppable spirit of domestic workers as more than 200 people came together to celebrate International Domestic Workers Day. What began as a lively rally at Parliament Square grew into a joyful, powerful family picnic — a day that honoured struggle, celebrated victories, and strengthened the bonds of community. This annual event is organised by The Voice of Domestic Workers, Kalayaan and Focus on Labour

May 24, 2026 will always stay in my heart as a date I will never forget, my very first hiking experience at the Seven Sisters Cliffs, walking all the way to Eastbourne. It was more than just a trip; it was a journey that carried meaning, emotion, and personal discovery from beginning to end. My journey with fellow domestic workers has always been a source of growth, but this experience felt especially meaningful. After a week of hard work, dedication, and shared effort, we fi

There are days that stay with you. Days where something shifts, not just in the air, but deep inside you. May 4, 2026 was one of those days. On a bright Sunday afternoon, the streets of London carried something different. Among the tourists and the familiar sounds of the city, there was a collective heartbeat moving toward Trafalgar Square. Members of The Voice of Domestic Workers, many of whom spend their days quietly working behind closed doors in homes across the UK, stepp

I have been a domestic worker for more than ten years. I rise each morning at five o'clock, while the rest of the household is still asleep. Those early hours are mine in the most honest sense. They are the quiet before the work begins, and in them I hold my reason for everything: my family. On the days when keeping going feels like the hardest thing, it is the thought of my children's future that lifts me. There is a particular kind of determination that lives in a parent wo

I began my life as a domestic worker in February 2019. In the years since, I have learned to carry two realities at once. There is the daily work, the early mornings and the careful attention that this job demands. And then there is the thought that never fully leaves me, the image of my children's future, the reason I am here, the reason I keep going. On my hardest days, it is the thought of those children that helps me the most. When the physical exhaustion piles up, when t

There are moments in life that stay with you not because they were perfect, but because they were shared with the right people. Our hiking adventure as VODW members at the cliffside was exactly one of those moments, simple, joyful, exhausting, and deeply meaningful all at once. From the very start of the trip, there was already a sense of excitement in the air. It wasn’t just about the destination, but about being together. The journey itself became part of the experience we

Last Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Voice of Domestic Workers went on a hiking trip to the Seven Sisters Cliffs. From the very beginning of the day, there was a strong sense of excitement in the air. We could feel it in our conversations, our smiles, and the way everyone prepared for the journey ahead. Many of us were especially excited because it was our first time seeing and climbing the famous cliffs. We came prepared with packed lunches, snacks, and plenty of water, knowing th

The day started bright and full of promise. The sun was shining gently over us, as if it was blessing the journey ahead. Everyone was smiling, excited, and full of energy, ready to embrace nature, walk through the trails, and sweat out the stress of a long and busy week. There was laughter everywhere. Conversations overlapped as we walked, each step filled with stories, jokes, and shared excitement. It felt light, almost effortless at first. We weren’t just walking, we were e

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life was my very first hike at the Seven Sisters Cliffs. Even before the trip began, I could already feel a mix of excitement and nervousness building inside me. I had never been to such a famous cliffside trail before, and I didn’t really know what to expect. Part of me was eager to see the breathtaking views I had only seen in photos, while another part of me quietly wondered if I could really handle the long walk and steep pa

There are moments in life that stay in our hearts forever, not because they were easy, but because they taught us something meaningful about ourselves. One of those unforgettable moments for me was my trip to Seven Sisters. I was so excited from the very beginning. The thought of seeing beautiful views, spending time with good people, and experiencing something new filled my heart with happiness. And when we finally arrived and saw the breathtaking scenery, it felt like all t

Not everyone we work for becomes family, and not everyone we meet in the workplace becomes a true friend. Along the way, we encounter many kinds of people, employers, co-workers, clients, acquaintances, and those whose lives simply intersect with ours for a moment in time. Some relationships feel warm and welcoming, while others remain strictly professional. And sometimes, the lines between them can become confusing. In many workplaces, especially for those who spend long hou

International Domestic Workers Day is dedicated to honouring the millions of domestic workers around the world whose hard work and sacrifices often happen quietly behind closed doors. Domestic workers are the heart of many households. They wake up early, work long hours, and dedicate themselves to caring for homes, children, older persons, and families. Many leave their own loved ones behind to provide care and support for others. Their work is built on compassion, patience,

For many domestic workers around the world, a visa represents far more than permission to stay in a country. It represents security, dignity, survival, and hope. Behind every domestic worker is a story of sacrifice, a mother working far away from her children, a daughter supporting aging parents, or an individual leaving behind everything familiar in search of safety, opportunity, and a better future. Domestic workers play an essential role in society. They care for children,

London, United Kingdom — On May Day, the streets of London became a powerful stage for resistance and solidarity as migrant domestic workers, advocates, and allies gathered to demand what they have long been denied: dignity, protection, and recognition. Under grey skies but with unshakable spirit, voices echoed across the city — not just in protest, but in truth. “This May Day, we rise with workers everywhere — demanding justice, dignity, and the right to live and work withou

Domestic workers should have the right to organize with others, not as a privilege granted in certain circumstances, but as a fundamental part of their dignity, safety, and humanity. Because for many domestic workers, the workplace is not an office or a public space. It is a private home, often hidden from view, where the lines between work and personal life can blur, and where silence can stretch for hours, days, even years. Imagine waking up each day to work in isolation. N

Campaigns that support domestic workers are rooted in something deeply human. The belief that every person, no matter where they work or where they come from, deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. Behind every clean home, every cared-for child, every supported family, there is a worker whose labor often goes unseen, whose sacrifices are rarely acknowledged, and whose rights are too easily overlooked. Domestic workers, cleaners, nannies, carers, play an e

On Monday, April 20, 2026, we gathered outside Parliament dressed as suffragettes. Our white garments carrying the weight of history, our silence carrying the force of truth. We stood together not as individuals, but as a collective voice shaped by courage, resilience, and the quiet defiance of those who refuse to remain unseen. As migrant domestic workers and proud members of The Voice of Domestic Workers, we came with a clear message, we are here, we are workers, and we des

Lack of protection, this is one of the heaviest realities faced by many domestic workers, especially for someone like me who does not have the right to work. Every day, I carry a quiet fear. A fear that is hard to explain, but always present, that one day, everything could suddenly be taken away. My job. My income. My chance to build a better future. Because the truth is, when your immigration status is not stable, no matter how hardworking or dedicated you are, nothing ever

In a world that prides itself on progress, equality, and human rights, there are still voices that remain unheard, stories that continue to unfold behind closed doors. A recent report by ITV News brings to light a painful and urgent reality: for many migrant domestic workers, freedom is still out of reach. These are women who travel across borders with hope, hope for better opportunities, to support their families, and to build a safer future. But for some, that hope turns in