Enforcing migrant domestic workers' rights

A legal colloquium, organised by the Officer of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Brussels Office on 25-26 May, put the spotlight on migrant domestic workers in the European Union and the applicability of International Human Rights Treaties to promote their rights. In SOLIDAR’s view, whilst a sound legal framework exists in theory, in practice the implementation and monitoring of their rights at national and local levels remains a huge challenge across Europe.

Generally, work in private households remains underregulated and invisible, which all too often leaves migrant domestic workers, the majority of whom are women, in a vulnerable and dependant position vis-a-vis their employer. The annual International Labour Conference (ILC), which will take place in June in Geneva, has also put ‘Decent work for domestic workers’ on top of its agenda. They hope that the negotiations on a new legal instrument for this matter can be finalised by 2011. SOLIDAR together with their Global Network partners are strongly engaged in supporting the call for a ‘Domestic Workers Rights Convention’ and therefore will be present at the forthcoming ILC.

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Enforcing migrant domestic workers' rights