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Migrant Domestic Workers and Trade Union Action

Migrant Domestic Workers and Trade Union Action. TUC Britain & Ireland – UK Diana Holland, National Organiser for Women, Race & Equalities Transport & General Workers Union. Migrant Domestic Workers were already organised in the UK. Organisation of migrant domestic workers – Kalayaan

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Migrant Domestic Workers and Trade Union Action

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  1. Migrant Domestic Workers and Trade Union Action TUC Britain & Ireland – UK Diana Holland, National Organiser for Women, Race & Equalities Transport & General Workers Union

  2. Migrant Domestic Workers were already organised in the UK • Organisation of migrant domestic workers – Kalayaan • Organisation of undocumented workers – Waling-Waling • Links with Church • MAJOR EVENT ORGANISED 1990 • T&G invited to Sunday afternoon social event : plays, food, music

  3. Kalayaan’s 1,000 workers’ stories • Psychological abuse 87.5% • No regular food 38.4% • Not having a bed 56.6% • Physical abuse 39.5% • Passport confiscated by employer 62.8% • Paid less than agreed 58.3% • Average hours a day 17 hours • Average pay a month 150 Euros

  4. Migrant Domestic Workers linking up with the union What could we offer? • Many had left abusive employers and become undocumented • Individual employer, no negotiations • Domestic workers not covered by employment laws

  5. Migrant Domestic Workers linking up with the union What did they want from the union? • A UNION CARD – AN IDENTITY – STATUS • OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THEIR STORY TO MORE PEOPLE • WITH A LOUDER VOICE – THE VOICE OF A LARGE TRADE UNION • LINKING UP WITH THE WHOLE LABOUR MOVEMENT

  6. Migrant Domestic Workers linking up with the union What happened? • We worked with Kalaya’an and Waling-Waling • We organised 600 migrant domestic workers into the T&G • We campaigned with Labour in opposition – conference fringe meetings • When Labour got elected, we reminded them of their commitments

  7. Campaign to change the Law CONSERVATIVES • Up to 1979, UK work permits granted directly to migrant domestic workers • 1980 Concession introduced outside Immigration Rules - can work but no status as a worker “Slavery status” LABOUR • Elected May 1997, status of migrant domestic workers restored 23 July 1998

  8. UNION SUPPORT • We spoke at the Sunday afternoon meetings of migrant domestic workers • We arranged TU education sessions • We translated leaflets about union membership • We arranged for migrant domestic workers to speak out in the European and International TU movement • We provided rooms and food for events • We jointly lobbied new Labour ministers

  9. WHAT NOW? “I would say that the legal rights issue has given domestic workers more confidence to challenge their employers” T&G Officer Key issues • Minimum Wage and Working time regulations (holiday pay) • Successful cases included : £37,000 award • Regular link with union branch • Union learner rep certificates presented to 10 domestic workers “community learner reps”

  10. Most important factors identified by Kalayaan members • Having a strong organisation of migrant domestic workers • Highlighting the issue in the EU parliament • Documenting abuses suffered • Providing an effective support service for domestic workers in need • “Having a close and consistent working relationship with a strong trade union”

  11. “Believing inthe justice of the campaignandhaving the capacityto dream ofa better world for all,even when morale is low.”

  12. What we gained • A campaign victory • Led by Women and ethnic minority members, the T&G Women’s Committee and Women’s Officer • New members • A strong united campaigning force • Stronger community links • And European and International links • The chance to end terrible abuse INSPIRATION

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