NUDE connects with Caribbean domestic workers and unions for international action

March 5^th, 2010.

Dear Comrades, Friends, Supporters,

I am writing to you in my capacity as the Regional Co-ordinator (Caribbean) for the International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) and the General Secretary of NUDE to keep you abreast with developments with respect to our advocacy for the promotion and protection of domestic workers rights at the International level.

The National Union of Domestic Employees (NUDE) is based in Trinidad and Tobago, and has been actively involved in advocacy since 1982 for the promotion and protection of Domestic Workers rights at the National, Regional and International Level.

The International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) was established in 2006 in the Netherlands and is comprised of Domestic Workers organisations and trade unions from around the world. The network is provided with an organisational base by the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers` Associations (IUF). The IUF is a federation based in Geneva with a membership of 336 trade unions in 120 countries representing over 12 million workers. The Network is also assisted by Women In The Informal Economy (WEIGO) with resources and advice.

On December 10^th 2009 the IDWN launched its International campaign on Human Rights Day calling it Mobilisation Day For Domestic Workers with simultaneous activities around the World e.g. with press conferences, seminars, conferences, marches, etc. in Trinidad, Tanzania, South Africa, Hong Kong, Mexico, Peru and other countries around the World.

As you may be aware this year at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva in June the first official discussion on standard setting for Domestic Workers with a view to getting a Convention or/and a Recommendation for Domestic Workers will take place.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) in seeking to embrace and include domestic workers into the Decent Work concept, and is working towards their protection by explicitly recognizing domestic and household work in the convention.

This means that domestic and household workers would share the fundamental rights of all workers, such as the right not to be subjected to forced labour or slavery, the right to just and favourable working conditions, the right not to be discriminated against, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to form and join trade unions, which have the right to negotiate with employers. NUDE and IDWN wants an ILO Convention in addition to a Recommendation for Domestic Workers.

The ILO circulated a questionnaire on Domestic Workers amongst its member states with a deadline to respond in August 2009. However, In the Caribbean and non – metropolitan territories of the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, the majority of Governments, Employers and Trade Unions refused or neglected to participate in this exercise to promote DECENT WORK FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS.

I have therefore, attached NUDE`s response to the Questionnaire that was included in the ILO`s second report for your perusal and urge you to support by reading our questionnaire and the second ILO report on Domestic Workers that can be found on the ILO`s Website and please let us know what are your arguments, what arguments you think could be raised concerning protection for Domestic Workers, so that we could be prepared with responses for discussions in June.

This is just one example of the many important steps that each organization can take in order to ensure the rights of domestic/household workers in your country. Also if government, employers or trade union in your country has responded to the questionnaire, we would still like if you would ensure that we receive a copy.

The work has now begun for the recognition of Domestics as workers. Additionally, public awareness-raising events and media work are essential aspects of building international attention for the issue of domestic and household workers’ rights.

The ILO has a series of steps that can be taken by your organization and information on the global campaign for an ILO Convention in 2011 can be found at the network’s website, www.domesticworkerrights.org

We eagerly await your feedback on this important issue.

In The Service of the Working Class,

IDA LE BLANC
General Secretary