Latest news with #InternationalDomesticWorkers'Day
Miami Herald
17-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Domestic workers in Miami-Dade rally for more rights
Miami-Dade community leaders and domestic workers rallied Monday to commemorate International Domestic Workers' Day and demand better labor protections for workers such as nannies, house cleaners, baby sitters and home care aides whom they say keep Miami-Dade county moving. Monday's gathering organized by WeCount! and The Women's Fund Miami-Dade at Government Center Plaza in downtown Miami kicked off with a mariachi band and live performances. The event honored the 60,000 domestic workers in Miami-Dade and brought visibility into issues workers face including low wages, sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. 'Without their important, critical labor, our society would cease to function,' said Esteban Wood, policy director at WeCount!. Wood said there needs to be more recognition of the importance of the labor domestic workers perform and the vulnerabilities they face in the workplace. 'Many of these workers work alone. Which means that they work at work sites where if they suffer some sort of discrimination or harassment, there aren't witnesses,' he said. Domestic workers are excluded from federal laws which prohibit workplace discrimination and harassment since most workers are employed by families privately. For an employee to file claims for discrimination or harassment, an employer must have 15 or more employees. Miami-Dade local laws offer similar thresholds for protection of workers against sexual harassment or discrimination. Domestic workers are not offered such protections because often they are employed by a single person. In May, the Miami-Dade Commission on Human Rights urged Miami-Dade commissioners to adopt an ordinance that would expand the county's employment discrimination codes to include protections for domestic workers against sexual harassment and to eliminate the employee-size requirements. Erika Varela, 48, said she has been working as a cleaner since 2019. She said she showed up because she felt her labor rights had been violated at work. 'Sometimes we don't have the salary we should have, they don't give us breaks. They treat us super bad,' she said, describing her working conditions. Varela, who is from Honduras, waved the Honduras blue and white striped flag with five stars and a sign that said in Spanish, 'United workers will never be defeated.' She migrated to the United States in search of security and freedom, but says she has encountered terrible working conditions as a domestic worker. 'Sometimes I suffer because I don't have security,' she said. A 2022 study by the Florida Policy Institute which evaluated more than 112,000 domestic workers in Florida found 94% were women and 60% were immigrants. 'I am proud to celebrate this day every day because our community employs so many of these women,' said Miami-Dade commissioner for District 5 Eileen Higgins. 'Every worker has rights, whether they're working in a big company or they're working as a domestic worker,' Higgins said on the importance of lifting the voices of domestic workers. The crowd chanted 'Si se puede,' and waved flags of different South American countries as community leaders spoke of the need for robust labor legislation supporting domestic workers. Agua Dulce, 34, a volunteer with multiple organizations that support domestic workers including WeCount! led the crowd in singing a mariachi rendition of Selena's 'Como La Flor.' 'I think it's very important and pivotal for us who have certain privileges, to be able to uplift the issues and needs of people who are more marginalized, especially when it comes to domestic workers' she said.
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysian Bar: Domestic workers still unprotected under labour laws
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar has asked the government to provide full legal recognition and protection to domestic workers under national labour laws. Its president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said despite their vital contributions to households and the economy, domestic workers in Malaysia, most of whom are women, continue to face systemic vulnerabilities. "In conjunction with the observance of International Domestic Workers' Day, the Malaysian Bar calls for the full legal recognition and protection of domestic workers under Malaysian labour laws, ensuring that they enjoy equal rights and protections as all other categories of workers. "We also urge stronger enforcement of existing laws and the establishment of effective mechanisms to prevent exploitation and abuse of domestic workers," he said in a statement today. He said domestic workers remain excluded from key protections given to other categories of workers, leaving many unprotected and unable to seek redress when their rights are violated. International Domestic Workers' Day, observed annually on June 16, marks the adoption of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers in 2011. He told the government to ratify and implement the ILO convention no. 189 and recommendation no. 201 as a vital step toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of domestic workers. "The government must also enact a dedicated law recognising the unique nature of domestic work. "Standardised contracts and specific regulations can be introduced by the Human Resources Minister without requiring parliamentary approval," he said. He also called for better enforcement of existing laws, improved access to justice, and public awareness campaigns to combat discrimination and affirm the dignity of domestic work. The Bar further proposed allowing foreign domestic workers to change employers or sectors without unnecessary restrictions and regulating part-time arrangements to prevent misuse. "Currently, many domestic workers are sent to multiple households without adequate protection. This must be addressed through clear, enforceable rules," he added. Ezri said the Malaysian Bar remains committed to advocating for the rights of all workers, especially those whose contributions often remain invisible. "Let us work towards a future where all domestic workers are respected, protected, and empowered," he added.
Qatar Tribune
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Protecting domestic workers' rights aligns with Qatar's constitutional principles, affirms NHRC vice-chairman
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha Safeguarding the rights of domestic workers aligns with Qatar's constitutional principles of justice, equality, and dignity, Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari has reiterated. He was speaking at a high-level discussion and roundtable organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to mark International Domestic Workers' Day under the theme 'Advancing Access to Justice for Domestic Workers: Enhancing Legal Support and Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms'. The event brought together representatives from the ministries of Labour and Interior, legal and human rights experts, and civil society advocates. It served as a platform to assess progress, address challenges, and strengthen mechanisms for protecting the rights of domestic workers. Dr Al Kuwari emphasised the significance of the occasion in raising awareness and reinforcing human rights commitments. He noted that domestic workers—numbering over 168,000 and comprising 8.39 percent of Qatar's non-Qatari workforce—play an essential role in the nation's economic and social fabric. He highlighted Qatar's advancements, including the 2017 Domestic Workers Law, while stressing the importance of pre-departure education and awareness for workers in their home countries. He also praised Qatar's visa centres abroad and called for expanding them to more labour-sending nations. Talking exclusively to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the event, Dr Al Kuwairi said the event holds significant importance in promoting the rights and well-being of domestic workers in Qatar. As integral members of many Qatari households, domestic workers receive vital services and support, and this event serves as a platform for open dialogue, he said. He added that the event features technical papers and discussions addressing challenges faced by domestic workers, including long working hours and limited access to grievance reporting mechanisms due to the private nature of household employment. He said that participants, including representatives from the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Interior, and international organisations such as the ILO and IOM, are engaging face-to-face with workers to understand their concerns and suggestions. He added that translated legislation handbooks, now available in 11 languages, are being distributed to help workers understand their rights and duties, stressing that the initiative reflects ongoing labour reforms and highlights Qatar's efforts to ensure accessibility, transparency, and inclusivity in protecting domestic workers' rights. Roula Hamati, representing the IOM in Qatar, described the event as the first joint initiative between IOM and NHRC. She commended the country's progress, particularly labour reforms introduced since 2020, such as changes to employer transfer rights, freedom of movement, and the minimum wage. While these have significantly improved conditions for many, she acknowledged persistent challenges, including language barriers, limited access to legal recourse, and complex legal procedures. Three themed sessions enriched the event. The first explored legal and institutional frameworks with contributions from NHRC's Nasser Marzouq Sultan Al Marri, Captain Mohammed Nasser Al Jaber of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Lena Moller from Qatar University, and Margaret Kabue from Kenya. Discussions addressed rights enforcement, access to legal aid, and international best practices. The second session focused on accountability and coordination to improve legal support, while the final session synthesised key outcomes and affirmed stakeholders' commitments to actionable next steps. Al Marri detailed NHRC's role in ensuring justice through strategic initiatives guided by the Paris Principles and the NHRC's 2024–2030 plan. He noted that NHRC handled 1,853 complaints in 2024, including many from domestic workers with services including multilingual hotlines, field monitoring, legal representation, and financial assistance for vulnerable individuals. Captain Al Jaber highlighted the humanitarian nature of domestic work and outlined laws ensuring worker protections, such as Law No. 15 of 2017 and Law No. 21 of 2015, adding that these prohibit practices like passport confiscation, regulate residency procedures, and support voluntary return in fair conditions.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
International Domestic Workers' Day observed
The SEWA-Union observed International Domestic Workers' Day here on Monday with a rally demanding that comprehensive legislation for domestic workers. The rally began from the Secretariat and ended at Martyrs' Column, Palayam. A public meeting that followed was inaugurated by SEWA-Union secretary Sonia George. It was pointed out at the meeting that labour laws at the Centre or in States did not formally recognise domestic workers as workers. Domestic workers were the most unorganised segment in the labour sector and the most exploited. Without any recognition as workers, they did not get any labour law protection. They were almost outside the ambit of the labour codes. The main reason for this was that private homes were not recognised as workplaces. It was also a fact that those responsible for framing laws were employers, a statement from SEWA-Union pointed out. It was pointed out that that the National Platform of Domestic Workers had been engaged in initiatives that underlined that domestic work was one of dignity. However, the government had made little efforts in this regard. The State government had published the draft of the legislation for the welfare of domestic workers in 2024, but there had been no action on it. No funds were earmarked for the welfare of domestic workers either. In the wake of a 2024 Supreme Court order to frame legislation urgently for domestic workers, the workers announced that they would stage strong protests to press their cause.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Domestic workers rally for fair wages
1 2 Ranchi: Carrying placards and chanting slogans for their dignity and rights, household helps marched from the district school to the Zakir Hussain Park on Monday to mark International Domestic Workers' Day. The Supreme Court had on January 29 directed the Union govt to create a legal framework for the rights of domestic workers. The workers, mostly women, demanded a comprehensive law, ensuring fair wages, paid leave, social security and weekly rest. "What we are asking for is not charity, but justice. We clean homes and care for children and the elderly, but our work is still invisible. Even today, there is no official data about us. No recognition, no protection," said Reena Kispotta, a protester. The International Domestic Workers' Day is observed on June 16 to mark the ILO Domestic Workers' Convention 189 adopted in 2011. The convention advocates for dignity and fair working conditions for domestic workers. Though India supported the convention, it is yet to ratify it. "Despite India's commitment at the global level, there has been no real action on the ground. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The govt must now act, especially after the SC order," said Anshu, a labour rights advocate. Speakers at the rally called for the urgent formation of an expert committee to draft the law. They demanded that the panel must include labour and human rights experts, especially women and child welfare representatives. Jyoti Tirkey, a domestic worker from Namkum, said, "We don't get weekly offs. We are called anytime and there is no fixed pay. We just want basic rights." The workers vowed to continue their fight until a national law guarantees them what every other worker is entitled to — dignity, rest and fair compensation.
