Domestic Workers Launch Week Of Action

To mark International Labour Day the Domestic Workers Action Group (DWAG) has launched a week of action from today, 1st May, to 7th May.

The DWAG is calling on the Government to establish more robust laws and regulations to prevent exploitation and to protect vulnerable workers whose rights have been grossly violated.

An estimated 10,000 people in Ireland work in the domestic work sector performing essential caring and cleaning services. The isolation and invisibility of domestic workers, with many living in their employers’ homes, creates a fertile ground for exploitation.

This is a sector that has high incidences of exploitation and forced labour. Common complaints reported to Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) include, long hours of work, pay below national minimum wage, no day off, no sick pay, no holiday pay, harassment, bullying, retention of identity documents and physical and mental abuse.

MRCI spokesperson, Aoife Smith, said: "In recent years MRCI has uncovered over forty cases of forced labour and domestic servitude. We have also seen a marked increase in the exploitation of domestic workers employed by embassies and diplomatic staff in Ireland. This is unacceptable, the government needs to act now. We need laws to criminalise forced labour and protect domestic workers employed in the homes of diplomats."

Domestic Workers Action Week highlights the essential work carried out by domestic workers. A series of events organised to raise awareness of exploitation in this sector, include a week long multimedia exhibition, participation in the May Day Rally and a collaborate evening of music at the Sugar Club Dublin.

(CD/GK)