Since the conference in Nov. 2006, developments have proceeded apace.
A network is built.
And the first step is won!
The ILO will start a standardsetting procedure in 2010. We aim at a convention to be voted for in 2011.
'DECENT WORK FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS'

Trade unions, the self-organisations of domestic workers and support NGOs are working together, with the IUF – one of the Global Union Federations - taking the lead at a global level. The network continues to be extended, and some new funding has been raised that will now really help us to make progress.

Domestic/household workers have to be recognised as workers/ employees. They need to be covered by labour legislation in each and every country, like any other workers.
There is no place for ‘servitude’ or discrimination in legislation.

The vulnerability of migrant domestic/household workers needs extra attention, and domestic work undertaken by children should be included in the list of the ‘worst forms of child labour’.

The first step is won!
One way to realise this would be an ILO Convention related to domestic/household work.
When we started planning the 2006 conference, such Convention seemed very far away, with a lot of work ahead. However, we said, ”Yes, it will take a lot of effort. Yes, all support is needed. But we know how to fight for our rights. We have already come a long way.”

The Global Unions used their position in the ILO Governing Body and network members lobbied for support of their governments. On 19 March 2008, the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) agreed to include the item “Decent Work for Domestic Workers” (Standard Setting) on the agenda of the 99th session (2010) of the International Labour Conference. This means that an ILO Convention on domestic/household workers’ rights will come up for approval in 2011.

Domestic/household workers want to – and have the right to - speak for themselves. This means they have to be included in the workers’ delegations to the International Labour Conferences of the ILO. At national levels, domestic/household workers’ organisations and trade unions need to co-operate to make that happen.

See for the post conference developments in the report the pages 27 - 33.

The full English report published here. The Spanish, French and probably Portuguese version will follow soon.
Use this report to support the work to realise full workers' and human rights for domestic workers.
If you want to translate it into a language you work in, please do. But tell us, and please mention the source.

You can download the reports here:
Full English report 118 pages - 4,4 Mb:
Full English report 91pages - 680 Kb - text version - no cartoons:

Or download the report in 3 parts
In English Part I - 2,6 Mb:
In English Part II - 1,4 Mb:
In English Part III - 1,4 Mb:

In Spanish (draft translation) - 30 pages, 600 Kb:
In French (draft translation) - 27 pages, 522 Kb:

At the IUF Women's conference the project was presented. Find here the power point persentation - 19 pages, 1,2 Mb:

You can download the conference declaration/recommendations here:
in English - 2 pages:
in Spanish - 2 pages:
in French - 2 pages:

To view and print pdf-files you can download for free Adobe Acrobat Reader at:http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NETWORK ON DOMESTIC WORK
Please contact for more information:AvLuijken@irene-network.nl