Strasbourg, 07/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in plenary session from 21 to 25 June in Strasbourg, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted the report by Giuseppe Gaburro (EPP/DC, Italy) on domestic slavery. Parliamentarians thus learnt how modern slaves, like the slaves in times past, are forced to work without pay or almost and are subject to physical constraints as well as inhumane and degrading treatment. They call for application of "zero tolerance" for domestic slavery. Thousands of women throughout Europe fall victim to such slavery, either being forced to work as servants in private households, or exploited as au pair girls or subject to abuse after becoming "mail order spouses", they say.
In its resolution, the Assembly suggests that aid be given to the victims, irrespectively of whether their papers are in order or not, or whether they were victims of human trafficking or came of their own free will. The parliamentarians also recommend: 1) the setting in place of an accreditation system for agencies that find jobs for au pair girls, domestic workers and mail-order spouses; 2) granting of a temporary residence permit for victims of domestic slavery (if possible in conjunction with the issuance of a work permit); 3) adoption of a Charter of Domestic Workers' Rights guaranteeing such workers social rights; and 4) compensation for victims. Information: http: //http://www.coe.int/APsession ..