PERC Conference “Challenge of informal economy in Europe” Interests of and services to special groups of workers: Domestic workers at the international level Karin Pape 11 February Budapest

Occupational categories i.e. Household employee; cleaning personnel; washerwoman, ironing personnel, maid

i.e.: child minder, nanny, elder caregiver, cook

Despite all obstacles: Domestic workers organize USA Switzerland Hong KongThailand

Domestic Workers organize internationally 2006: Amsterdam Conference 2008: Meeting in Geneva – forming Steering Committee 2009: Attending ILC – creating an international structure (name: International Domestic Workers‘ Network – IDWN)

ILO Process TimeWhat is happening March 2009ILO sends the „Law and Practice report“, including a questionnaire to member States. Governments are requested to consult with the most representative workers‘ and employers‘ organization August (September) 2009 Deadline for submission of replies to the questionnaire January (February) 2010 ILO sends a second report: analysis of the answers to the questionnaire and a draft instrument June 2010First discussion at the ILC: decision on the form of the instrument: Convention/Recommendation/Instrument combining the two August 2010ILO sends a third report: draft insturment(s) on the basis of the negotiations November 2010Deadline for submitting comments on the third report March 2011ILO office sends two reports: 1. analysis of the comments received on the third report, 2. new draft of instrument(s) in the light of the comments received June 2011Second discussion at ILC; Any agreed instrument will be adopted or rejected by the Plenary of ILC

Demands of domestic workers ILO Convention (not only Recommendation) Recognition as workers – inclusion in international and national labour laws (access to social protection schemes) Right to organize (Freedom of association) Provsions taking into account their special situation - among others: maternity rights, regulation of working time, health and safety provisions, inclusion into national statistics

Example of exclusion/inclusion of domestic workers – Minimum Wage Provisions*: Exclusion: Denmark, Finland, Switzerland (apart from Geneva), Croatia Inclusion: Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Romania, Turkey *ILO report: Decent Work for Domestic Workers. Can be downloaded in different languages from the ILO/Travail home page:

Payments in kind (lodging, food)*  Payments in kind prohibited: Austria, Czech Republic (possible if wage is higher than minimum wage), Republic of Moldova  Payments in kind permitted up to 25% of remuneration: Russian Federation  Payments in kind permitted of up to 50% of remuneration: Spain *ILO report: Decent work for Domestic Workers

Good practice examples of unions in Europe organizing domestic workers UK: UNITE (former T & G) – Kalayaan Geneva/Switzerland: SIT – UNIA Netherlands: Bondgenoten – „Trusted Migrants“ (RESPECT)

Expectations of domestic workers (re unions) Recognizing domestic workers as workers Political support – campaigning for their rights as workers Supporting special categories of domestic workers: especially (undocumented) migrant domestic workers

Expectations of domestic workers – ILO process Lobby work with the governments – especially in Europe Support during the negotiations Support in campaigning – hopefully - for ratification of the Convention