Our Mission
The Voice of Domestic Workers is a self-help grass-roots organisation made up of multi-national migrant Domestic Workers in the UK established on March 15, 2009. We empower migrant domestic workers to stand up and voice their opposition to any discrimination, inequality, slavery and all forms of abuse. We show that we are stronger together.
The objects of The Voice of Domestic Workers are:
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the prevention and relief of poverty among migrant domestic workers and their dependants living (temporarily or permanently) in the UK by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare and legal advice; and
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to preserve and protect the physical and mental health of migrant domestic workers and their dependants living (temporarily or permanently) in the UK.
We wish to raise awareness of our campaign to improve the living and working conditions of migrant domestic workers in the UK and to increase respect for the work that we do. As well as speaking out for our rights we also solve each other’s practical problems. We find each other emergency accommodations and pool our resources to provide food and clothing. Together we search for ways to overcome our isolation and vulnerability and demand respect as workers, as contributors to the British economy and society, and as human beings.
Our Activities
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Classes for Migrant Domestic Workers in ICT, English language, Body & Mind Wellness Workshop, Financial Wellness, Media & Communication Workshop and the arts;
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Advice and support services for Migrant Domestic Workers, with sign-posting to professional advice where needed;
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Practical support for Migrant Domestic Workers who have run away from employers or who are in other acute situations;
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Organising Migrant Domestic Workers to speak out about the value of their work and their entitlement to rights;
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Work with Trade Unions and NGOs to fight for the rights of individual Migrant Domestic Workers and the collective rights of all Migrant Domestic Workers;
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Speaking at externally organised events;
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Solidarity meetings to strategise and work on common issues;
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Developing materials to inform and educate the public;
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Organisation of social and fundraising events.
In Leeds we were brought together in August 2013 because of a specific abuse case. The Voice of Domestic Workers Leeds are supported by the Leeds based visual arts organisation Pavilion and the Open University. Our work here in Leeds is in dialogue with the London based group and we aim to expand the national reach of our campaign and provide support to others who might find power in our collective efforts.