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Support the world’s domestic workers

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International Domestic Workers Day, ratify ILO treaty, ask your MPThe UK has not yet ratified the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

Domestic work remains one of the most undervalued and least regulated forms of employment.

Many of the world’s domestic workers are excluded from protection in their country’s labour laws.

In many countries domestic work is not even recognised as work.

16 June is International Domestic Workers Day, a day to stand in solidarity with domestic workers around the world who are demanding their rights.

An estimated 67.1 million people are employed as domestic workers around the world, most of them – 83 per cent – women.

Around 11.5 million are migrants.

Working out of sight in private homes, they are at particular risk of exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and assault.

Five years ago today, the international community took a momentous step toward changing that.

On June 16, 2011, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted a landmark treaty, the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

This is a legally binding treaty (ILO Convention 189), which sets out the rights of domestic workers, extending key labour protections such as weekly days off, limits to hours of work, and a minimum wage.

It requires countries to guarantee domestic workers the same rights as other workers regarding daily and weekly rest periods, working hours, overtime compensation, and paid annual leave; as well as adequate protection against violence.

This treaty is the first to set out the rights of domestic workers.

Now it’s time for individual countries to follow through.

Twenty-four countries have ratified the treaty, and many more have adopted labour law reforms improving protection for domestic workers.

The UK, however, has so far failed to ratify ILO Convention 189, meaning domestic workers remain at risk of exploitation and abuse and face restrictions on basic rights such as the right to change employer.

Join War on Want in standing with domestic workers, and demand the UK government ratify ILO Convention 189 and ensures decent work for domestic workers.

Only by protecting the labour and social rights of all workers can we stop a race to the bottom that drives down working conditions for everyone.

Contact your MP and ask them to ensure the UK ratifies ILO Convention 189 – preferably this year – and help make domestic workers safer, their lives better.

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