Brussels, 13/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has restated its plea for member states to ratify the Internal Labour Organisation (ILO) convention relating to decent work for domestic household staff. This was adopted in June 2011 but has not been ratified by any European state since.
National legislation varies considerably for this “mostly invisible workforce in Europe”, an ETUC press release stated on Wednesday 12 December. Domestic work in the EU mainly concerns women from migrant or ethnic minorities working without any true social protection. “They are often denied basic working rights, such as rest periods, paid holidays and paid sick leave, despite legal obligations to the contrary”, when at the same time the demand for this category of service continues to rise. This finding was shared by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. For that reason, “all workers, including those who work in our homes, should have proper employment protection. Europe needs to get on the ILO Convention No 189 ratification map!” exclaimed ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol. (JK/transl.jl)