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 87.5% No regular food38.4% Not having a bed56.6% Physical abuse39.5% Passport confiscated by employer62.8% Paid less than agreed58.3% Average hours a day17 hours Average pay a month150 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- 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