Decent Work For Domestic Workers Dublin 25 – 26 June 2012 Presentation: Sean Bamford TUC

What will I cover The law and domestic workers in UK The Overseas Domestic Workers Visa The ILO Convention on Domestic Workers and the UK JDW and UNITE – NGOs and Trade Unions working together

The Law and Domestic Workers (1) Only migration route for domestic workers is Overseas Domestic Workers visas –Domestic workers of migrants –Domestic workers of diplomats If you do not have the right to work in the UK you can not enforce your employment rights

The Law and Domestic Workers (2) Domestic workers don’t have extra rights they have less –Are they an employee or a ‘member of the household’ –Excluded from the UK transposition of working time directive –Private homes are not subject to inspection even if its some ones place of work

New Arrangements for Overseas Domestic Workers Restricting it to six months if accompanying a Tier 1 or 2 migrant (currently 5 years) Removing possibility of extension Removing right to change employer Removing right to sponsor dependents or removing right of dependents to work in UK Removing right to settlement

Enforcing Overseas Domestic Workers Rights Can take cases to UK labour Courts – Employment Tribunals But –Must go home by the end of the 6 months or earlier if lost employment –You have to have two years service before you can take unfair dismissal case

ILO Convention on Domestic Workers UK one of only two EU governments who abstained and one of nine internationally The main UK employers association – CBI -voted against Why?

UK Government attitude Default position of opposing rights for workers which they argue destroys jobs Did not see the need for further legislation –Existing laws adequate –Abuse rare Convention would lead to changes in employment law –Working time –Health and Safety

Justice for Domestic Workers JDW Services –Provides support/shelter ODW fleeing abuse –Advice and support services –Organise migrant domestic workers to speak out about the value of their work and their entitlement to rights –Support for migrant domestic workers to become trade unionists and act as branch of Unite

Justice for Domestic Workers JDW Services continued –Work with Trade unions and NGO to promote and individual and collect rights of ODW –Speaking at externally organised events –Develop materials to inform and educate the public –Organise social and fundraising events