Migrant Domestic Workers and Trade Union Action TUC

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 • Organisation of undocumented workers – Waling-Waling • Links with Church • MAJOR EVENT ORGANISED 1990 – T&G invited to Sunday afternoon social event : plays, food, music

Kalayaan’s 1, 000 workers’ stories • • • Psychological abuse No regular food Not having a bed Physical abuse Passport confiscated by employer • Paid less than agreed • Average hours a day • Average pay a month 87. 5% 38. 4% 56. 6% 39. 5% 62. 8% 58. 3% 17 hours 150 Euros

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

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

Migrant Domestic Workers linking up with the union What happened? • We worked with Kalaya’an and 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

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

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

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”

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”

“Believing in the justice of the campaign and having the capacity to dream of a better world for all, even when morale is low. ”

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