With the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and national union federations like the AFL-CIO, the Solidarity Center helped partner domestic worker and other care economy unions and associations join a global conversation about decent work and the care economy at the ILO’s 112th Session of the International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The annual ILC conference sets the international labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and brings together governments, employers and workers of almost 200 member states to discuss key social and labor issues and develop policies and programs to promote decent work for all.
“The first message I would give is to the workers, to keep fighting, keep advocating for the recognition of our rights as domestic workers. To the governments, you have responsibilities to uphold to workers and to our societies—and in this case, specifically to domestic workers—because we have been fighting for our labor rights over many years. And to the employers I say, at a minimum, have a little bit of heart. Think about where you come from. Who is taking care of your children? Who is taking care of your grandparents? And where do you come from? From a woman! So take note of this, be sensitized to it, open your hearts and look at us as we are: WORKERS.”
– Carmen Britez, President, IDWF. Video Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
ILO Convention 189 established the first global standards for domestic workers more than a decade ago to protect the 75.6 million domestic workers around the world, most of whom are women, many of whom are migrants and children.
“I am a domestic worker. I cooked, cleaned and took care of babies. This is my first time here and I have very high expectations. I hope that we can make the care economy and others have decent work, minimum wage and dignity in society and the world of work”
– Samphous Von, Deputy General Secretary, Cambodia Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA.)
Photo Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
But there is still much work to be done, say unions, including recognition of the care work performed by domestic workers—and the right of domestic and other informal workers to access care—as one of the cornerstones of the construction of fair, inclusive and resilient societies based on decent work and gender equity.
“Centering domestic workers in the care economy, recognizing domestic work as real work… that would be a game changer.”
– June Barrett, Second Vice President, IDWF. Video Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
With International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions 149, 156, 189 and 190 providing a normative framework for governments and employers, women workers at the ILC urged a holistic framework to implement rights outlined by these conventions and affirm care worker rights.
“Countries have ratified conventions, some have not. Activists have lobbied, have advocated for many rights for some of the care economy, and some have not. I see this as an opportunity to ensure I go back and make sure the fundamental rights at work for domestic workers are upheld. [Sierra Leone has] ratified C189 that looks at decent work for domestic workers, but there has to be implementation of it. We do have a law that the government says speaks about all workers, but we are significant about domestic workers. The work of domestic workers, they are individual workers and the nature of their work is very different. So having the laws implemented for them is very critical.”
– Chelcy-Alma Aminata Heroe, Chief Executive Officer and founder, Sierra Leone Domestic Workers Union and Sierra Leone Informal Workers Organisation. Photo Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
“Healthy communities will actually build productive societies. In that sense, putting a focus on care workers and ensuring their rights are protected are very important. Here at the ILC we are looking into the care economy at how it exists in different parts of the world and what care means to them in different parts of the world. Looking into decent work aspects and also putting care as public good”
– Fathimath Zimna, General Secretary, Maldives Trade Union Congress.
Photo Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
“Centering domestic workers in the care economy, recognizing domestic work as real work… that would be a game changer.”
– June Barrett, Second Vice President, IDWF. Video Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
“The discussions so far are complicated but I say to the governments and employers, spend a day in the shoes of a domestic worker. Go wash dishes. Go clean a floor. Go make a bed. Help somebody go to the bathroom. Let’s see if you feel the same.”
— Doug Moore, Executive Director, United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930) and member of the Solidarity Center Board of Directors. Photo Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
“We want to see that Convention 189 be ratified because it’s the core of what we have to use for domestic workers in my country to be covered by labor legislation”
— Martha Mosoang, Secretary General, Lesotho Trade Union Congress. Photo Credit: Solidarity Center/Mollie Relihan
“We, domestic workers, are here at the International Labor Conference because this space is OUR space. This is a space for dialogue, a place where we can be building together towards decent work, with dignity, for all domestic workers. Recognize that OUR work is what permits you all to realize your work”
— Chirlene dos Santos, Secretary of Union Education,
FENATRAD-Brazil National Federation of Domestic Workers. Photo Credit: Solidarity Center/Alexis De Simone