The Solidarity Center stands with a global network formed to recognize the dignity of domestic workers, promote domestic workers’ efforts to defend their rights, and call on trade union partners to support a new ILO convention for domestic workers.

	Domestic workers in Hong Kong rally for their rights. Photo courtesy of domesticworkerrights.org

The International Domestic Workers Network was initiated by a group of domestic workers' unions together with support organizations. Its objectives are to help organize domestic workers, to serve as an information clearinghouse, to mobilize support for common political aims such as international standards and national legislation, and to secure the support of the international labor movement.

The network grew out of a 2006 conference, “Respect and Rights: Protection for Domestic Workers!” Some 60 activists from domestic workers’ organizations, trade unions, and support organizations, as well as researchers from all continents, attended the conference in Amsterdam. It was the first ever such global meeting to discuss the situation of domestic workers and to develop effective international action to fight for their rights. The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco, and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) led the establishment of the network and has a representative on its steering committee. 

Now, as a result of years of campaigning, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has agreed to consider a standard-setting convention on domestic work at its next two International Labor Conferences. In preparation, the network informed partner unions and organizations of the ILO’s “law and practice” report on domestic work. The document, intended as a first step in developing the convention, concludes with an 18-page questionnaire for ILO members to use in shaping the June 2010 debate. The network is publishing union and NGO responses along with useful links and materials for promoting and enforcing worker rights for domestic workers.