Rally for migrant domestic workers – London

Domestic workers protest.jpg

Image shared by Nic0 under a Creative Commons license. It shows a group of protesters in London, wearing T shirts reading “Justice for Domestic Workers” and carrying signs, including one reading “FAIR WAGES 4 DOMESTIC WORKERS”.

The UK government is proposing to abolish the Overseas Domestic Worker visa, an immigration visa under which domestic workers in the UK have the right to change employers. This right is one of the most important protections that migrant domestic workers currently have: otherwise, they often have extremely little in the way of leverage against the abusive practices of employers.

Justice for Domestic Workers are holding a rally at Old Palace Yard, opposite the House of Lords in London, on 4 September, to demand (among other things) that this visa be retained. See Kalayaan for more details:

NO return to slavery, WE are WORKERS!

Justice for Domestic Workers Rally & Event – All Welcome

September 4th 11am – 1pm, Old Palace Yard opposite House of Lords, London

Demands:

  • Retain the domestic worker visa
  • Maintain the right to change employer
  • Maintain our rights as workers and our rights to settlement
  • Equal rights and protection for domestic workers in diplomatic households
  • Ratify and Implement “C189” Domestic Workers Convention

    Domestic Workers are not slaves, maids, servants or family members, WE ARE WORKERS – Come and support us!

  • More information on the government proposals can be found in the Kalayaan briefing. Kalayaan have also produced a video illustrating how the ability to leave employment without threat to their immigration status has been vital for two migrant domestic workers.

    Protect migrant domestic workers in the UK from Kalayaan on Vimeo.