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Protections for Domestic Workers:
MRCI has been working with migrant women including domestic workers for over four years: click here. Domestic workers work as carers or childminders with responsibility for cleaning and housekeeping in another person's home. This work is difficult, generally undervalued and, unfortunately for some, their working conditions are problematic. This is a sector where the boundaries of living and working can become blurred, and where the relationships and bonds formed with children and families impact on the employee's ability to negotiate wages, time off and hours of work. Problems also arise with the range of tasks allocated, lack of access to holiday and leave entitlements, and lack of privacy. These problems, coupled with experiences of discrimination, isolation and invisibility leave this group more vulnerable to exploitation and social exclusion. MRCI has documented these issues in their report 'Private Homes A Public Concern' click here. See also the report by Human Rights Watch: 'Swept Under the Rug - Abuses against Domestic Workers Around the World' click here.

MRCI's Domestic Workers Support Group has been involved in a multimedia and textile project: Opening Doors - Migrant Domestic Workers Speak Through Art, as part of their campaign to establish statutory protections that reflect the reality of their work. Click here to find out more.

 

A positive advancement for the protection of employees in the private home is a commitment from Government in the recent Partnership Agreement 'Towards 2016'. Click here.
Towards 2016 contains a commitment to develop a Code of Practice by the Labour Relations Commission. While this is a timely and welcome development, it does not go far enough. Labour law, even where it is enforced, does not adequately reflect the reality of the work, the workplace or the complexities of this unique working and living situation. In order to clearly define this area of work and to mark the line between work and leisure time, MRCI's Domestic Workers Support Group is seeking the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee which will have the ability to deliberate on terms and conditions for employees in the private home. An Employment Regulation Order which can incorporate Rates of Pay, Hours of Work, Overtime, Minimum Notice, Sick leave and Holidays, also needs to be put in place as a matter of urgency so as to eliminate the well-documented abuses of employees in the private home.

Training:
Giving recognition to the lifelong learning needs of migrant women employed in the private home is paramount, and with the support of FAS and the Equality for Women Measure, MRCI has developed a pilot social care training programme. Due to the nature of the work carried out by domestic workers, it is very difficult for them to access mainstream training initiatives. This is largely due to long and irregular working hours including weekend work, and poor access to transport especially for those living in rural areas. Domestic workers tend to have Sundays off and it was therefore necessary to deliver a programme that suits their availability. While the aim of project is to increase equality of access, opportunity and outcome through a targeted approach, we hope that this initiative will be mainstreamed and that the value of providing life long learning opportunities for workers employed in vulnerable situations will recognised and supported. The EU Employment Guidelines are intended to inform the development of National Action Plans on Employment. The guidelines specifically state that 'combating discrimination' and 'integrating immigrants and minorities' are particularly essential. For more information click here.