We, the undersigned, call for the adoption by 2011 of an International Convention on Domestic Work, together with clear guidelines on monitoring and implementation, reporting and compliance mechanisms.  We believe an ILO Convention will significantly contribute to the reduction of slavery-like conditions, abuse, violence, exploitationn, inequality and discrimination against women and domestic workers.  It will help reduce the worst forms of child labour, the stigmatization and criminalization of migrant domestic workers and racial and ethnic discrimination.

Due to the nature of the job, the situation of domestic workers has remained precarious, vulnerable and invisible.  The unique challenges faced by domestic workers start from the day of recruitment. Live-in local and migrant domestic workers are particularly susceptible to various forms of maltreatment at the workplace and have little or no channels of redress.  Migrant domestic workers are preyed upon by opportunistic recruiters, employers and corrupt officials.  Vulnerabilites to forced labour, slavery-like conditions and trafficking increase as domestic workers end their employment and search for new work. Domestic workers, especially at the local level, also involve a substantial number of children, which is another major concern of the ILO.

Trade unions and domestic workers' organizations, together with migrant, women and civil society and partner advocates, have come together to spearhead the international campaign for the rights and recognition of domestic workers.  As part of this joint campaign, we have agreed to jointly celebrate May Day 2010 as the "Asian Domestic Workers' Day" to emphasize the core labour rights principles and highlight our call for the proper recognition of the rights, value and status of domestic workers as workers.

To read the joint declaration in its entirety, please see the pdf document below.

Joint declaration on Celebrating May Day 2010 "Asian Domestic Workers Day" (97.28 KB)