The Domestic Workers' Movement Around the World

A new report published by Oxfam and the London based charity, Kalayaan (freedom in Phillipino), shows widespread abuse of migrant domestic workers in the UK. In association with Oxfam, Kalayaan interviewed 300 migrant domestic workers. Most described sub-standard working conditions. Some hadn't been provided with a bed of their own by their employers. Others reported that they had been deprived of food. In some cases workers were prohibited from leaving the home of their own volition. There were also complaints of sexual assaults by employers, along with allegations of physical and psychological abuse. A BBC report mentions the case of a domestic named Rina ... Read Full Story

It seems to be a losing argument to say that slavery can be acceptable. However, in Aristotle's time, it was commonplace. This is not to say that the ancient G reeks were barbarians because of this. While, for example, the oppression of slaves in the U.S. up to the last century was obviously unacceptable Aristotle shows the conditions necessary for "just" slavery (an oxymoron in the eyes of many, particularly Plato [ Polit . 258 E. 259]). At first I couldn't believe in a justification for slavery, knowing that all men are born equal, blah blah blah etc. but let me give you the ... Read Full Story

On the eve of Lebanese Labor Day, the Human Rights Watch launches a capmaign to raise awareness on domestic workers rights in an effort to stop domestic workers abuse and exploitation.  The campaign boldly asks the employers to " Put yourself in her shoes. "  The title of the campaign is powerful and simple.  It forces employers to think about the unfairness of working without pay and in inhumane conditions.  It forces employers to think, what if whenever I went to work, my boss degraded me? The Human Rights Watch says, "An estimated 200,000 domestic workers, primarily from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Ethiopia, ... Read Full Story

On May 5, 2008, undocumented migrant workers marched through the street in Montreal demanding to be seen -- they are tired of being invisible to justice. More than 400 marchers, according to  The Gazette , "paraded through the city's working-class Côte des Neiges district demanding recognition, respect and rights for what organizers said are 40,000 non-status migrants in the Montreal region."  Among these migrant workers include a good percentage of domestic workers who help Canadians do their laundry and mind their children. The Canadian Hispanic Congress tells The Gazette, an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 such individuals are quietly used across Canada to keep the nation's ... Read Full Story

Kalayaan  is a charity organization advocating and working for migrant domestic workers' rights in the UK.  They offer an array of services, including free, independent, and confidential advice on immigration and employment; support in retrieving passports from employers; t raining in accessing healthcare and mainstream services; e nglish for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses; Support with reading and writing letters or forms; p ractical emergency assistance to clients who have recently left abusive employers, and a s ocial space where clients can come and meet friends, have tea or coffee and pick up mail.  Where Kayalaan cannot provide direct assistance or service, they make referrals or ... Read Full Story