European labour migration

From public sector worker in Portugal to cleaner in Switzerland

20 September 2012

As protests spread in southern Europe – especially in Greece, Spain and Portugal – against austerity measures, more and more people hit by the crisis are moving to northern countries in search of decent jobs. Public sector workers are not an exception.

Convention N° 189

Landmark treaty for domestic workers to come into force

05 September 2012

The ILO’s Convention on Domestic Workers has now been ratified by two countries, meaning it will come into effect in a year’s time. The Convention extends basic labour rights to tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide.

From the Philippines

Labour rights recognized for Filipino domestic workers

05 September 2012

The Philippines' ratification of ILO Convention 189 officially extends basic labour rights to domestic workers and will bring the convention into force within the year. But what does passing this landmark legislation actually change in the life of a maid working in the Philippines?

From the Philippines

Domestic work is no longer a “domestic issue”

05 September 2012

The ratification of ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers by the Philippines this week breaks new ground in extending basic labour rights to the nearly 100 million of domestic workers worldwide. We look at what it will mean for these workers when the Convention comes into force next year.

News

Sexual harassment at workplace Bill passed in India

04 September 2012

Article

Time for Arabs to live up to their call for social justice by protecting vulnerable workers

15 August 2012

Which Arab country will be the first to ratify the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers?

Video News Release

Uruguay takes the lead to protect domestic workers

24 July 2012

Providing protection for the world's millions of domestic workers has taken a major step forward. In April 2012, Uruguay became the first country to ratify ILO Convention 189, the landmark treaty guaranteeing domestic workers get the same core labour protections as other workers. Uruguay has long been a leader in protecting the rights of domestic workers, but ratifying the convention demanded a unique approach; a group of Uruguayan housewives were called on to represent the employers of domestic workers at the bargaining table.