One down, one to go: Uruguay First Country to Ratify ILO Domestic Worker Convention

Well, actually many more countries should be ratifying the convention, but for now two is the number that counts: If there won’t be at least two ratifications one year after the “decent work for domestic workers” convention was adopted on June 16 2012, it will fail. Trade Unions have set their goal higher, though: The “12 by 12” campaign aims

to reach 12 ratifications by the end o 2012.

The ILO convention 189 aims to  provide better protection for domestic workers, including migrant sand undocumented domestic workers, and acknowledge that their service is indeed work. Amidst the euphoria that such a convention finally came into existence after many decades of preparation, many observers were not aware that two ratification were needed within a year.

So, now after Uruguay made the first move, who might be next?

According to Ip Fish from the Hong Kong Central Trade Union (HKCTU) Countries that have committed to ratify C189 includes the Philippines, Paraguay, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and  Austria.

The ‘12 by 12’ Campaign is an initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in partnership with the International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN) and several other unions.

The campaign is being promoted by now in 73 countries around the world. The demand for the ratification of C189 and changes in national legislation is supported by demonstrations and other public events.

On a somewhat related topic, there have been good nows regarding another convention: Around two weeks ago Indonesia finally ratified the UN 1990 Migrant Workers Convention…

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