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Domestic Workers Charter of Rights

taken from http://www.solidar.org/

Domestic work in private households is important to European family life, to European economies and to European support systems. It is demanding work which requires a variety of skills and is often done by women who have migrated to Europe. Many have left their families and children in an attempt to find a way out of poverty.

Migrant domestic workers are part of the fabric of European society. Their dignity and their rights as people and workers must be protected.

We call for justice and equity for all migrant domestic workers; whether they are documented or undocumented; whether they are live-in or live-out; whether first or second generation; whether they are born in Africa, Asia, South America or Europe. Member states of the European Union must recognise the intrinsic dignity and crucial importance of domestic work and seek to educate their citizens accordingly. Relevant organisations in the EU have a duty to ensure that migrant domestic workers have information and the means to access the following rights:

• THE RIGHT to an immigration status which recognises that domestic work in private households is proper work.
  
• THE RIGHT to an immigration status for the worker independent of any employer.
  
• THE RIGHT to travel both within the host country and between all countries of the European Union.
  
• THE RIGHT to full and non-discriminatory employment rights and social protection, including minimum wage, sickness and maternity pay, and pension rights.
  
• THE RIGHT to change employer.
  
• THE RIGHT to a legally enforceable contract of employment setting out minimum wages, maximum hours and responsibilities.
  
• THE RIGHT to work free from fear of physical, sexual or psychological abuse.
  
• THE RIGHT to join a trade union.
  
• THE RIGHT to live and work free from racism.
  
• THE RIGHT to family life, including health, education and social rights for the children of migrant domestic workers.
  
• THE RIGHT to recognition of qualifications, training and experience obtained in the home country.
  
• THE RIGHT to personal and leisure time.

• To transform policy and practice at all levels, from the European Commission to the households of the European Union, to reflect this charter of rights.
  
• To ensure that migrant domestic workers are informed of their rights and have the means to access these rights.
  
• To work for the implementation of the charter of rights with migrants and refugees, trades unions, parliamentarians, human rights activists, and other relevant sectors.