Domestic Workers from Ghana to Vote on Convention in Geneva

June 9, 2011, Accra – A delegationof Domestic Workers from Ghana are part of

delegates attending this year’s International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva,

Switzerland. The delegation is taking part in the conference as members of the

International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN).

The domestic workers together with other delegates are to vote on a Convention

on Domestic Work, which would recognize domestic workers as workers and would

set international employment standards. The other delegates to the on-going

Conference that began on June 1st and close on June 17th, are from trade unions,

governments and employer organizations.

The convention has become necessary as the rights of the over 100 million people

working worldwide as domestic workers are often been ignored.

In that regard, IDWN is leading the domestic workers and supporters at the ILC

to advocate for a strong international convention as well as build support for a

winning vote.

Karin Pape, Interim International Coordinator at the IDWN notes that an

International Convention on Domestic Work is important because “Domestic workers

are very vulnerable to exploitation, ranging from the expectation to work

excessive hours to emotional or physical abuse. The fact that the workplace is

a household should not deprive domestic workers of their rights as workers.”

“Domestic workers deserve to have their labour rights recognized and protected

and an ILO Convention is an important step in this process,” he adds.

The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering,

Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations(IUF) is also supporting the domestic

workers delegation to the conference. According to Sister Adwoa Sakyi of IUF

Ghana, domestic workers are vital to running a household – they care for

children, shop, cook, and clean.

She adds that the economy would come to a standstill without them but still

their contribution and labour rights are not recognized.

In preparation for this year’s ILC, the IDWN has prepared a pamphlet "Myths and

Realities About Domestic Workers," which can be accessed from its website:

www.idwn.info.

About IDWN: the International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) is made up of

domestic workers’ unions and associations from around the world. Member

organisations come from Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, and

Europe. Support organisations include IUF, the International Trade Union

Confederation (ITUC) and Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organizing

(WIEGO).

AboutIUF: IUF is International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant,

Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations, with its headquarters in

Geneva, Switzerland. IUF currently collaborating with some labour unions across

Africa, particularly in the areas of organizing and recruitment and enhancing

role of women in the trade union movement.

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For more information contact:

Sister Adwoa Sakyi

IUF Regional Project Coordinator

0244547021/0540551854