call on governments worldwide to end domestic slavery

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Anti-Slavery International's HOME ALONE: End Domestic Slavery campaign is calling on the International Labour Organization (ILO) to adopt a new Convention on domestic work which would protect the rights of domestic workers worldwide.

At the recent 2010 International Labour Conference (ILC), ILO member states discussed having a new Convention for the very first time. We will have to wait until the 2011 ILC for the final vote as to whether a full domestic work Convention that requires states to take action, or weaker recommended actions for countries, will be adopted.

But for now indications in favour of a full Convention are positive. A majority of governments voted against having recommendations only with many voicing strong support for a Convention including the US, Australia, all African and Latin American governments. However, many governments still do not support a Convention or remain unsure. 183 countries are members of the ILO. We therefore need to keep the pressure on and persuade as many governments as possible to support a new ILO Convention.

WRITE TO THE MINISTER OF LABOUR IN YOUR COUNTRY

Please write to the Minister of Labour in your country, urging them to support the adoption of a new ILO Convention on domestic work.

Click here to download the list of Ministries of labour around the world

We have provided a standard letter below, which you can adapt with your own words if you wish.

sample letter

Subject: Please support a new ILO convention on Domestic Work

Dear Minister

I am deeply concerned about the situation of domestic workers around the world, many of whom suffer from abuse, exploitation and slavery.

Working behind closed doors in a private household, domestic workers, the vast majority of whom are women and girls, face extremely long hours of work, often for very low wages or none at all, without breaks, days off or holidays. Some are denied adequate food, and many are subjected to physical and sometimes sexual violence.

Domestic work is all too often undervalued, unrecognised and unregulated. In many countries, domestic workers are excluded form national labour legislation. Existing international conventions have failed to address the unique circumstances of domestic work and have not provided domestic workers with adequate protections against exploitation and slavery.

At its annual conferences in 2010 and 2011, the International Labour Organization will discuss creating a new international instrument on domestic work. This is an historic opportunity to achive improved protections for domestic workers and end the abuse of domestic workers worldwide.

I therefore urge the government to:

-Support a new robust ILO convention on domestic work, supplemented by a Recommendation, at the 2010 and 2011 International Labour Conferences.
-Ensure the Convention recognises the special conditions in which domestic work is carried out, set out clear rules to prevent abuse, and promotes equality for domestic workers under labour laws.
-Ensure the Convention contains specific provisions to protect child and migrant domestic workers.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,
(your name)

Please send any responses you receive to Gemma Wolfes to g.wolfes@antislavery.org or post them to:
Anti-Slavery International
Thomas Clarkson House
The Stableyard, Broomgrove road
London, SW9 9TL

Many thanks for joining our campaign and helping to END DOMESTIC SLAVERY now.

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