International Domestic Workers Day
Celebrate International Domestic Workers Day
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Every Year on June 16, International Domestic Workers Day is celebrated since the adoption of the International Labour Standard Domestic Workers Convention 189 (enforced on 5 September 2013) which aimed to protect 76.5 Million Domestic Workers worldwide
This is an important occasion to celebrate the hard work, commitment, and positive contribution of migrant domestic workers as essential workers and members of our society.
This year, against the backdrop of the punitive and latest attack on migrants and refugees with the Illegal Migration Bill, we come together to renew our demands: The Hostile Environment must end. Together, now more than ever, we need to build a world where every person can live in freedom, dignity, justice, and abundance.
Meet and Greet With MPs and Peers
Parliamentary drop in session hosted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP - 12- 2 PM, 14 June 2023 in Room R in Portcullis House
This an open opportunity for MPs and peers to listen to migrant domestic workers' lived experiences and how they can support us on policies that affect domestic workers. Please help us to ensure MPs and Peers are aware of this drop-in session. To the public and supporters, Please when you write to your MPs, please include the briefings below and feel free to use the letter template to MPs. To Migrant Domestic Workers and members, feel free the letter template designed for you and attached or enclosed the briefing.
Family Picnic - June 16, 1 PM Old Palace Yard, UK Parliament
Join us for an afternoon of food, presentations, songs, dancing and art.
#DomesticWorkIsWork #DecentWorkForDomesticWorkers #SolidarityKnowsNoBorders
Date: Friday June 16, 2023
Time: 1.00pm – 3pm
Where: Old Palace Yard, UK Parliament
This event is organised by Kalayaan and The Voice of Domestic Workers.
Pledge Your Support for Migrant Domestic Workers Rights
Watch this video on why the pre-2012 Overseas Domestic Worker Visa is the best prevention against modern slavery, forced labour and trafficking.
1. Reinstate Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers
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Right to change employer without restrictions
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Right to renew the Visa
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Right to Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settlement
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Right to British Citizenship
Listen to our voice, we deserved to be heard!
Call to Action
1. Read our OPEN LETTER to the government to restore the rights of migrant domestic workers.
Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWS) are are one of the most vulnerable groups of workers. Removing our rights in 2012 has left us unprotected, powerless and in severe exploitative work condition. When our employers stopped us from working without notice and pay during covid19 lockdown we couldn't claim our unpaid wages, we are afraid to go to the hospital when infected by this virus and some are even quarantined.
We were deprived and forced to work long, unpaid hours including working for free on our days off. When parents and children were all at home during the lockdown, we worked up to 24 hours per day. We are essential workers too. Is asking the UK to value our work too much? We are carers to children, the elderly, and the disabled as well as having sole responsibility for general housework. Domestic work is work, and we should be protected as workers.
''My employer was positive in covid19, I wasn't told about her condition so I was infected too. It was scary to be alone and isolated. I also cannot get access to outside support. I thought I would never come out alive''.
The pre-2012 Overseas Domestic Worker Visa has prevented abuse of migrant domestic workers and protected MDWs as workers.
Do not exclude us. We are an important workforce. We look after families who are the building blocks of the United Kingdom.
2. Ratify and implement ILO C189, Decent Work For Domestic Workers
We are calling for the UK Government for the ratification and implementation of the International Labour Standard C189 to truly protect migrant domestic workers as workers. We have the right to privacy and decent work conditions, we are entitled to fair wage as agreed in the contract, we have the right to organise and join trade unions, the government have the responsibility to protect us against all forms of abuse, harassment, violence and forced labour, employers do not have right to take our documents and all other rights same as other workers have.
Recognise the valuable contribution of
migrant domestic workers, Ratify ILO C189 Now! Decent Work for Domestic Workers.
Say NO to Slavery, YES to Workers Rights!End Modern Slavery,Ratify ILO C189, Decent Work For Domestic Workers
What happened to the Overseas Domestic Workers Visa on April 2012?
Watch this documentary of Justice for Domestic Workers (VODW previous name) made by Producer: Nuanza Cinta Adita Director: Katie Latter Editor: Gigi Ching Chui Chi Sound: Catherine Tan Cinematographer: Afzal Ahmed