Domestic Workers from Ghana to Vote on Convention in Geneva

June 9, 2011, Accra – A delegationof Domestic Workers from Ghana are part of
delegates attending this year’s International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva,
Switzerland. The delegation is taking part in the conference as members of the
International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN).

The domestic workers together with other delegates are to vote on a Convention
on Domestic Work, which would recognize domestic workers as workers and would
set international employment standards. The other delegates to the on-going
Conference that began on June 1st and close on June 17th, are from trade unions,
governments and employer organizations.

The convention has become necessary as the rights of the over 100 million people
working worldwide as domestic workers are often been ignored.


In that regard, IDWN is leading the domestic workers and supporters at the ILC
to advocate for a strong international convention as well as build support for a
winning vote.


Karin Pape, Interim International Coordinator at the IDWN notes that an
International Convention on Domestic Work is important because “Domestic workers
are very vulnerable to exploitation, ranging from the expectation to work
excessive hours to emotional or physical abuse. The fact that the workplace is
a household should not deprive domestic workers of their rights as workers.”

“Domestic workers deserve to have their labour rights recognized and protected
and an ILO Convention is an important step in this process,” he adds.

The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering,
Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations(IUF) is also supporting the domestic
workers delegation to the conference. According to Sister Adwoa Sakyi of IUF
Ghana, domestic workers are vital to running a household – they care for
children, shop, cook, and clean.


She adds that the economy would come to a standstill without them but still
their contribution and labour rights are not recognized.

In preparation for this year’s ILC, the IDWN has prepared a pamphlet "Myths and
Realities About Domestic Workers," which can be accessed from its website:
www.idwn.info.

About IDWN: the International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) is made up of
domestic workers’ unions and associations from around the world. Member
organisations come from Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, and
Europe. Support organisations include IUF, the International Trade Union
Confederation (ITUC) and Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organizing
(WIEGO).

AboutIUF: IUF is International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant,
Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations, with its headquarters in
Geneva, Switzerland. IUF currently collaborating with some labour unions across
Africa, particularly in the areas of organizing and recruitment and enhancing
role of women in the trade union movement.

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For more information contact:

Sister Adwoa Sakyi
IUF Regional Project Coordinator
0244547021/0540551854