Hundreds of migrant women employed as domestic workers in Ireland ‘demanded their dignity’ on International Women’s Day.
The Domestic Workers Action Group (DWAG) called on the State to protect vulnerable women workers and to ratify international laws that recognise rights for domestic workers.
In addition, the DWAG and trade union Siptu urged Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton to make a public commitment to bring national laws in line with the requirements of the ILO Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers to address exploitation in this sector.
“Ratification is essential,” said Mariaam Bhatti of the DWAG. “Domestic workers are integral to the economic structure and the well being of every society, and yet so many of us suffer physical, emotional and psychological abuse on a daily basis.
“We have rights. We have dignity. We want the government to shout with us: “exploitation of domestic workers will not be tolerated in Ireland”.
Echoing those words, Siptu’s John King said Minister Bruton has an opportunity to send out a “strong and clear” message that the abuse of domestic workers who come to work in Ireland will not be tolerated.
He said the minister should “commit to introducing any required legislative changes so as to give robust protective measures to ensure the protection of these vulnerable workers”.
