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Forum: General Assembly – Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee Issue: Treatment of Domestic Migrant Workers Chair: Tiffany Chung Rapporteur: Nina Stender
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Table of Contents Afghanistan ................................................................................................................................ 3 Argentina .................................................................................................................................... 5 Australia ...................................................................................................................................... 6 China ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ......................................................................... 8 France ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Greece ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Iran .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Ireland ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Italy .............................................................................................................................................. 13 Kenya .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Nigeria ........................................................................................................................................ 16 Norway ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Republic of Korea .................................................................................................................. 18 Republic of Philippines ....................................................................................................... 20 Russian Federation ............................................................................................................... 21 Saudi Arabia ............................................................................................................................. 22 Swiss Confederation ............................................................................................................. 23 United Arab Emirates .......................................................................................................... 24 United Kingdom ..................................................................................................................... 26 United States of America .................................................................................................... 27 Zimbabwe ................................................................................................................................. 28
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Afghanistan Domestic migrant workers are indicating any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship in a foreign country. Being a migrant worker is often an alternative livelihood opportunity for them. Every single year, there are over 2.5 million Asian workers leaving their homes and families to under contract to work abroad. Afghanistan is currently one of the countries of destination. The major sending countries of migrant workers are India, Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Our country, Afghanistan, have been suffering different challenges on our own. Over these years, our country have had fully engaged in many international efforts in many countries to restore basic human rights. Still, they are domestic migrant workers often exploited at all stages of the migration process in the country of origin, transit and destination. Incidents like trafficking and stranded in our country are happening instantly; our country paid a deep concern towards the basic human rights on domestic migrant workers. Moreover, there is obvious growth on the demand of female migrant workers since 1980s and mostly for domestic services. Since then, we are having problems with abusing due to religious values and believe, especially females. We understand there are still migrant workers living in unprivileged condition. Therefore, we are committing to change and protect women and workers rights, and of course, their voices will be heard. Us, Afghanistan has joined the Colombo Consultative Process (RCPs)which aims to provide a dialogue that is set to evolve and contribute to strengthening migration management both in the Asian region and in countries of destination. 11 Asian countries members have discussed strategies to improve coordination, optimize benefits from migration, and prevent abuses at home and abroad under the theme of ‘Migration with dignity’ in 2011 conference. Nevertheless, being a destination country, we are trying to promote safe migration by allowing access to support to migrants in times of need, for examples like NGOs; and also ensure employers in Afghanistan adhere to employment contracts and all its commitments and tenets. International labor organization has setting standards for the treatment for domestic worker during the Domestic Workers Convention in June 2011. There are recommendations on decent work for domestic workers aim at protecting and improving the working and living conditions of domestic workers worldwide. This is a very good start for us, especially during a time that we urge to gain support from international support.
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However, funding is one of our major concerns to implement solutions. We are urges to receive support from international organization, like loans from World Bank. Additionally cooperate with more developed countries that are having the same problems like us. In this case, we can receive aids from developed countries. Having the funding and aids, it is one big step closer to our goal of protecting worker’s rights and abusing problems.
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Argentina Argentina recognizes the concern that the United Nations has for the rights of migrant workers and is willing to take responsibility of protecting these rights. Bringing new economic activity, migrant workers are welcomed and encouraged in our nation. However, today in Argentina, these migrant workers are still facing many challenges. Our own capital, Buenos Aires is still home to many undocumented migrant workers that come from the poorer countries of South America. With the UN Migrant Workers Convention in mind, we are willing to take drastic measures to improve the living quality of these migrant workers. Argentina promises to extend our access to job security, better pay, and social services, which are enjoyed by Argentine citizens, to migrant workers. We also will work to monitoring black market labor and registering the currently undocumented migrant workers by implementing safe and simple procedures into the registration process. By legalizing migrant workers, Argentina aims to provide protection and freedom to all residents in our country.
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Australia There area many millions of migrant workers in domestic labour around the world. Without any changes and monitoring soon, these workers will continue to suffer violent and oppressive employment, exploitation, exclusive health and security schemes and remuneration below the minimum or legal wage rate. On June 16th 2011, the International Labour Organization adopted this convention and as of today, the organization strongly encourages other governments to implement it, as it would benefit countries that need to improve their laws to protect domestic workers’ rights in their economies. Several forms of basic rights of Domestic workers: •
The right to receive a minimum wage rate or receive remuneration no less than the legal wage rate in a country
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The right to work no longer than 45 hours per week and no more than 9 hours per day
• The right to freedom of association • The right to have at least 24 consecutive hours of rest per week ILO actions towards implementing the convention: The new ILO standards set out that domestic workers around the world who care for families and households must have the same basic labour right s to those available to other workers: reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, clear information of terms and conditions of employment, as well as respect for fundamental principles and rights at work (including Freedom of association and collective bargaining). Australia’s relevance to the adoption of the convention: Australia is a nation whose recent history and foundation has been largely built on the back of labour migration. Up until present day, Australia’s economy still depends heavily on migrant labour to fill skill gaps and labour demands. Hence, ratifying the Convention would be in the best interests of both Australian and migrant workers, ensuring that the employment standards in Australia remain at a certain level of quality. Actions towards the implementation of the convention: The Australian government has chosen to stand by the implementation and improvement of rights of domestic workers and remains a strong proponent of the convention.
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China The People’s Republic of China would like to expresses its tacit support for humanitarian issues in the protection of domestic migrant workers’ rights. Despite our lack of participation as a signatory in the 1990 International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers, the PRC is working to slowly, but surely reform Chinese laws to promote fair treatment of domestic migrant workers. China wholly agrees in principle with the aims presented in this issue. We feel that the unjust policies targeting migrant workers are merely widening the poverty gap. The PRC is predominantly still a developing country with large economical and educational gaps between regions of the country. Rash and immediate changes to policies would cause an uncontrollable surge of migration. Which our current technology and reliance on the agricultural sector cannot sustain. The journey towards complete reformation of our current hukou system is a gradual process. With the rapidly rising economy, migrant workers play key roles in the growth of the country. Since 1993, China has implemented policies to relax the hukou system. Modifications of laws specific to rural migrant workers has ensured steady progress towards reaching equality. The People’s Republic of China hopes for international recognition of this issue and cooperation towards the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
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Democratic People’s Republic of Korea The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, being the leading nation of the world, understands the concerns of the many different nations regarding the treatment of domestic migrant workers. We have demonstrated clearly that a nation is able to run most efficiently when no domestic migrant workers are employed in a country, and we have shown that this is the way to go -‐ the DPRK way. Employing domestic migrant workers is an idea perpetuated by our Western compatriots, and following suit would only lead your nation down the wrong paths. North Korea is a world leader in labour rights. We set the bar for the world to follow. We are above the exploitation of foreign labour, and our persistence in this field is what truly makes us the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Change is never fine. They say it is, but it’s not. Do it our way, the best way, the DPRK way. North Korea is the best Korea, and may our new great leader lead us to future glory -‐ Long live Kim Jong Un!
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France France recognizes that we as a country are host to a large visible minority of migrants; that is to say, both EU and non-‐EU migrants. We have not ratified with The United Nations International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, though we recognize the responsibility we uphold as one of the largest international communities in the world to mind the wellbeing of the minorities living in our country. Since the 1990s, we have encouraged professionalization of domestic work as an attempt to raise create jobs, and we have in turn established a system; the National Agency for Personal Services, to protect the public policies of domestic workers in France. However, there remains an issue of unregistered workers and this enables many illegalities, like underpayment, abuse and tax evasion, to occur. A reaction to this was the Private Employers National Collective Agreement, one of many implementations we introduced to tackle this issue. This regulation protects the basic humanitarian rights of those working under a domestic basis. We encourage fellow countries to view and respect the profession of domestic work and to pay the concerns this issue deserves, as we as a country have, in order to minimize the potential for unprofessionalism in the workplace as a given risk.
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Greece GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF GREEK WORKERS This is the educational institution of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, which organizes union education and training for its members and for the middle and upper level trade unions officials. It is organized at a national level, with 11 regional and 5 sectorial branches. The institute also •
carries out research and studies on labour relations and has a documentation and publishing department,
•
develops vocational education and training programmes for all sectors and underprivileged social groups,
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develops training programmes for trainers of adults, actively participates in EU programmes and human resources networks, organises open days and seminars, develops associative relations with European and international WEAs, organises union training seminars for unions of the Balkan countries.
Trade union view The Greek General Confederation of, the central private sector trade union organisation, believes that the ILO report confirms its own position that the main problem of the social insurance system is the state’s inconsistency in providing funds. The Philippine Embassy has reported an estimated of 40,000 Filipinos in Greece
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Iran The Islamic Republic of Iran is grateful of this opportunity to represent our standpoint regarding migrant domestic workers Iran, like our neighbouring Islamic countries, is reliant on domestic workers, who are common in Muslim households. However, the nationalities of such workers are only, only Iranian, and our government disallows the induction of foreigners as domestic workers. Regardless of background, though, all domestic workers are protected universally and undeniably by the humanitarian compass of Islam and the values set forth in the Qur’an, in which Allah teaches us “to respect all human life”. Thus, as a country strictly bound within the freedom of Islamic doctrines, not only are the issues of violence, sexual abuse, demoralizing working conditions and inhumanly poor return for labour virtually nonexistent within our own country, but we also condemn such realities anywhere in the world, especially in the context of foreign workers, an obligation shared by many states. Culture and its impacts are central to this matter, as well as in employment, and the employee, especially if he or she resides in the household of his or her employer, is rightfully subject to and must abide by the rules and rituals associated with the culture and background of the employer. On these grounds, we have maintained that foreigners, the majority of whom and come from non-‐Islamic countries such as the Philippines, are prohibited from working in any household within Iranian borders, the majority of which are radically Islamic. Such a clash would have been catastrophic. In spite of this, we recognize the necessity of migrant employment, and its benefit towards low income nations. We stress that culture is to be strongly considered as a decisive factor in both deciding where to work and in judging the quality and morality of the work that is found. We therefore encourage and hope to reach a convention that guarantees relative fairness in terms of rights, of security, of value for workers of any description, and especially of those working in a home in a nation that is not their own.
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Ireland There are over 86 million migrant workers active in our world today. Ireland is one of the top ten countries whose populations compose mainly of immigrants seeking work. In addition, 10% of Ireland’s population consists of the non-‐Irish. Migrant workers contribute almost 4 billion euros annually to the Irish economy. Therefore, we will continue to encourage the recruitment of migrant workers in the country as this will greatly aid Ireland’s economic growth. However, Ireland is aware that migrant workers in the country face a number of hardships such as discrimination and abuse. Many employers fail to recognize that their employed migrant workers have the same broad employment rights as other normal workers in the country. Therefore, Ireland will continue to work towards establishing laws that will protect the rights of migrant workers and is willing to work with other nations to do so.
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Italy The Italian Republic is deeply troubled by the recent conditions facing domestic migrant workers all around the world. As the representatives of a country which is itself a major destination for foreign economic migrants, we are well aware that the magnitude of this situation is one that calls for international attention and action led by this honourable body. The Italian Republic sees that many such workers are abused by employers, which range in size from small, family-‐run firms to major multinational corporations (MNCs). Not only are wages low and entirely disproportionate to both the amount of work put in by such employees and the profits of the firms in question, but there are significant violations of local and international laws concerning working hours, working conditions, job safety and job benefits. This runs entirely contrary to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1990) and can be seen as a gross and blatant violation of existing internal treaties. As a responsible member state of this body which has been actively taking steps in protecting the rights and benefits of migrant workers and their families in accordance with Italian, European and International law and has assisted neighboring states in doing so, The Italian government would like to propose that this body takes immediate action in protecting the rights of the millions of such workers worldwide. The Italian Republic sees that it is crucial for this body to urge all member states of the United Nations to follow the principles of the Convention and protect the rights of their domestic migrant workers through legislation and the extension of basic government services. It is a sad reality of the modern world that the standard of social welfare, education and healthcare for these workers are often far below those of their native counterparts. Furthermore, the Italian government is of the opinion of that arbitrary and unfair internal immigration controls that discriminate against migrant workers ought to be removed and abolished by all members of this body as soon as possible. Finally, we would like to urge the strengthening of legal penalties against businessmen and government officials who discriminate against migrant workers and their families. Secondly, we also see a distressing lack of knowledge of their basic and fundamental labour rights on the part of the workers themselves. As this is due to insufficient education and/or a lack of activist groups and labour unions in such countries, the Italian government would like to call on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to increase public awareness of the problem by
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means which include the development of educational and advertisement materials for use and distribution by member states and the launch of outreach programmes in such countries to the same effect. Finally, the Italian Republic would like to ask this honourable body to empower the ILO to actively protect the rights of migrant workers through the establishment and enlargement of ILP branch offices in countries with significant amounts of domestic migrant workers and the provision of free legal advice to abused workers. The Italian Republic hopes that with your support the international community can give the millions of domestic migrant workers around the globe the rights, freedoms and livelihood they deserve and put an end to this horrible version of modern-‐day slavery.
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Kenya The Republic of Kenya recognizes that domestic migrant workers face segregation within a society. As a country with multi-‐ethnic population, we regret that such issues still occur in our country. Under globalization, a growing amount of workers will seek job opportunities in foreign countries, and should the issue of inequality and discrimination cease to exist, the discontent of the society will only worsen as the population of migrant domestic workers grows. For the unity within a nation, we must first unite under the name of equality and fairness before we can take further actions. The Republic of Kenya believes that it is time for the international community to work together, only multilateral co-‐operations can deal with the problem mentioned. We call for international awareness of these morally appalling acts and welcome steps that will be taken to improve the situation domestic migrant workers face.
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Nigeria Nigeria deeply believes we shared an equal goal to every each member of United Nation, and that is to give the chance to male and female domestic workers are give the change to make informed choices that determine their own future. Nigeria acknowledges and responds to the call for the treatment of domestic migrant workers. Nigeria believes that this challenges posed by the environment that the domestic workers are stuck into conditions where they are abused sexually, physically and mentally. Since 1974, Nigeria recognizes that the degree of inequality between the employer and the domestic worker needs to be combat through the support and implementation of numerous policies. In 1974, the Labour Decress has come up with a few law in order achieving the right for the domestic worker. To stop the status of child labor practices and the minimum age for employment and the acceptable conditions for workers. Efforts have all been made with hard work and good intention, however Nigeria is still struggling to achieve equality between the employer and the domestic workers. Nigeria recognizes that male and female domestic workers should be given the chance to make informed choices that determine their own future. In addition, large cooperative organizations such as UNICEF are working with the government to provide hundreds of domestic workers in Nigeria with literacy classes to broaden their knowledge. Workers both men and woman can choose from a range of classes, including hairdressing, fashion design and even cooking. This helps strengthen their ability and confidence. Nigeria promotes achieving gender equality in order to improve sustainable development by: •
Stop young and uneducated boys & girls to serve as domestic servants
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Stop Human trafficking Increase recognition and regulation of domestic work by making laws clear and employers.
Have an official watch group that monitors the households of workers that are still are still abused Nigeria hopes to provide a better domestic work society by accelerating the movement towards work in conditions of freedom, security and dignity. •
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Norway Understanding the difficult circumstances faced by domestic migrant workers and the significance of human equality, the Kingdom of Norway fully supports the protection of human rights possessed by domestic migrant workers. Since employing domestic help is generally unacceptable in our nation, Norwegian families choose to employ au pairs (foreign-‐national domestic assistant working for, and living as part of, a host family). In recent years, au pair immigration has greatly increased, especially from the Philippines. To promote and protect the rights and welfare of the au pairs in Norway, we have exercised flexibility and accommodation of the Philippine government’s requirements to provide sufficient safety nets for au pairs. As a nation which has a well-‐established welfare system with a strong public normative emphasis on gender and social equality, Norway is determined to strengthen the policy and legal framework for the protection of domestic migrant workers through the provision of health insurance, as well as coverage of their repatriation in case of death or when unable to fulfill their contracts due to terminal illness and other similar reasons. The au pair contract had been amended to reflect such provisions and became effective in June 2010. To show our concern towards this issue and act as a leading role in the protection of human rights, Norway expresses its intention to ratify the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers adopted on the 16th of June 2011. Furthermore, our country placed at the disposal of International Labour Organization a contribution in an amount of NOK 16,2 million over three years 2009-‐2011 constituting 100% of the project budget, aiming at eradicating forced labour and trafficking of migrant workers in South East Asia through strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, increasing awareness and providing adequate service for domestic migrant workers and their families. Having an impressive ratification record in terms of international instruments on migrant workers’ rights, we are committed to continuing our work on advocating the importance of the protection of domestic migrant workers. However, as our efforts alone cannot resolve all the problems, your help is needed. Therefore, we sincerely hope all the member states can achieve international cooperation, and that the protection of human rights can be glorified.
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Republic of Korea Although there has been done much to opposing the anti-‐personnel mines and their removal, but the potential threat to human lives around the world makes it an important issue yet to resolve. Both the abandoned and active anti-‐personnel mines can cause tragic damages to innocent civilians, and to societies, which starts off conflicts. The Republic of Korea would like to support such a project to removing land mines; however, according to certain situation, we disagree with this project on a certain extent, and thereby demurring it. As one of the major adversaries recognized by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and one of the significant roles of the Korean Peninsula affairs, the Republic of Korea has been challenged and threatened under tentative yet sensitive situation of a potential war with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. A legacy of the war we had fought was the demilitarized zone between the boundary of North and South Korea. In the demilitarized zone, there are, currently, millions of land mines in total of both North and South Korea. Over the years, these land mines have become an invisible underground wall of defense, which have also been regarded as parclose of safety—a barrier of liberty and democracy for the citizens of the Republic of Korea. On the other hand, if this barrier of lives were removed—without land mines, a substantially higher number of troops and weaponry would be required, and lives would be at risk. And it is not only South or North Korean we are talking about; they are the United States of America and the United Nations. For decades, the U.S. army has been stationed in ROK for potential military confrontation. Back in the 50’s, an alliance of troops of the U.N. also took a part in the Korean War. If there would be a war after the removal of land mines at Korean borders, men will sacrifice in war, and such potential casualty could be prevented, which is unnecessary. Thus, the Republic of Korea will retain mines until there is no longer a threat from North Korea, or until an effective alternative to anti-‐personnel mines is found. Due to such unique security situation on the Korea Peninsula, we are compelled to give priority to our security concerns, and therefore, unable to accede to the Convention at this point. Despite the confrontation with North Korea, the Republic of Korea is, in fact, situated in dilemma. Thus, in fact, humanitarian perspective, we would like to encourage for ridding of AP-‐mines. Nonetheless, we express of difficulty removing land mines. Mine clearance is a costly and time-‐consuming task. The Republic of Korea is a small country whose economy is having low ebb due to
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years of financial crisis. The budget of mine clearance would be a lot of expense. It even risks lives as accidents happened in the process of mine clearance. This is feasible but in demand of great capital, and it might take lives. Therefore, the Republic of Korea encourages to finding an effective alternative to anti-‐personnel mines, particularly with the attention over the Korean Peninsula, and a renewal of the treaty in attempt to include the interests and concerns of most if not all the countries on a global scale.
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Republic of Philippines As you all know we are the greatest exporter of domestic migrant workers. We would like to negotiate with other parties who haven’t considered the rights of all domestic migrant workers and bring a change to the current condition. We would appreciate if domestic workers would be considered as legal citizens of the country they live in and would be entitled to all the rights as any other citizen. We want domestic migrant workers to be treated in a respected way abroad. Being one of the largest exporters of migrant workers, it has become one of our major revenue providers as they sustain social life for their families in the Philippines. We know that there are nations outside Southeast Asia who export domestic workers and are in the same condition as Philippinos abroad and we are open to making resolutions with delegates of those nations as well. We – as the Philippines as a whole – wish that domestic workers be treated fairly.
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Russian Federation As the delegation of the Russian Federation, we hope that during the length of the upcoming caucuses, we can in conjunction with other member nations establish a resolution agreeable to the wants and needs of all involved parties in terms of resolving the existing issues regarding the rights of migrant workers. The Russian Federation receives and donates thousands of migrant workers per year and is thus heavily involved in this issue. We believe in and recognize many basic rights that all migrant workers should be entitled to, and intend on respecting them as far as possible without hesitation. The Russian Federation aims to promote adequate migrant worker rights, not only in relation to its Russian Nationals working abroad but also in terms of migrant workers from other nations. We want to ensure that all migrant workers are privy to the same fair treatment, reasonable wages and job security at a rational levels, and we feel as if it is necessary to attempt to make it so that these aspects of the rights of migrant workers should conform to regulations largely agreeable to all stakeholders at hand while still being consistent with the basic rights of man and the migration policies of the countries involved within reason. We feel as if particular focus should be placed on the laws that govern the residential status of the migrant worker as this also determines the extent of their rights, in addition to the training of migrant workers in order to better facilitate these workers to cope with the tasks that may be set for them and the extent of the legal rights that migrant workers should be entitled to. Cooperation between member nations is key to achieve these aims, and we hope that collaboration between the delegations of member nations will be achieved and that it will help to provide the best for all migrant workers. We look forward to maintaining an active voice in the discussions of this topic and are eager to begin to work in conjunction with the rest of the committee to attain a resolution addressing this issue.
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Saudi Arabia King Abdullah and his Kingdom see the treatment of domestic migrant workers as an important issue that we as brothers must face to attain a better society. In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen an increase in foreign migrant workers, currently with around 1.5 million domestic migrant workers working in our country. The increasing demand for foreign migrant workers has lead them to become a necessity in many of our people’s lives, yet although they are needed, they are treated by our people inhumanely. As it says in the Qur’an; “Do good to our parents, relatives and neighbours.” We feel now, more than ever that Allah is calling to us to change our ways. We shall attend the needs of our these migrant workers; there is not much likelihood of the demand of domestic workers decreasing, and to cope with such necessities to our society it is imperative that we address the poor working conditions of these domestic migrant workers and improve protection of their rights. Perhaps together with our Arab brothers we could combine to provide social protection to all domestic migrant workers.
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Swiss Confederation Swiss Confederation is deeply concerned about the unjust treatment of domestic workers. Our Geneva-‐based International Labor Organization estimates 53 million domestic workers worldwide, whereas the number could reach as high as 100 million due to their unregistered status. In fact, migrant workers are often marginalized in countries they are employed, and many suffer physical and mental abuse from working for irregular hours with minimum wages. Last year in Geneva, International Labor Organization has adopted treaty to provide social security for domestic workers around the world, setting regular working hours, providing right to vacation, unemployment insurance and maternity leave. Currently, we have approximately 125,000 domestic workers in Switzerland that are mostly documented. There is no collective agreement or a union for domestic workers in Switzerland. However, we understand that domestic workers are socially marginalized and isolated, which we explicitly give rights to organize contracts collectively. Additionally, our government negotiates with local trade unions to take responsibility towards the rights of domestic workers in both national and cantonal levels. Our labor agreements guaranteed to provide protection, and we are currently in the process to resolve residency of undocumented workers. We encourage all member states to provide better protection for migrant workers by signing and ratifying IOL’S landmark treaty. We understand that this does not change overnight, and we need mutual understanding to keep up with contemporary standards of human rights. If we can all negotiate and work together, we are one step forward towards human equality
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United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates has been long committed to treating domestic migrant workers fairly and humanely. With 450,000 domestic migrant workers in the country, we understand the significance the domestic migrant workers bring, for without them, we will not be as strong economically as we are this day. There is a long road ahead to ensuring the proper rights of domestic migrant workers, but the UAE is fully determined to attain the goal in the near future, with the cooperation of fellow states. We urge all states to put aside stereotypes or any political agenda, and disregard recent reports of the UAE’s exploitation of domestic migrant workers, pertaining to individual companies not under the government’s watch. The UAE would like to take this opportunity to clarify that we object strongly to the unlawful treatment of domestic migrant workers and supports a call for equal and fairer treatment. However, the huge influx of aforementioned workers each year has rendered any immediate large-‐scale legislation difficult. In spite of such difficulties, the UAE has already made significant progress and has taken active measures in alleviating the difficult lives of domestic migrant workers who seek better labour in our country. Measures taken up include but are not limited to providing monthly electronic payments for workers, requiring safety and health standards for housing to limit unreasonable overcrowding, supplying a unified standard contract for as well as signing bilateral agreements with countries where majority of foreign labor originates, which took effect in April 2007. In June 2011, the UAE has voted to adopt the International Labor Organization treaty, which expands labor laws to domestic migrant workers and addresses the loophole in UAE’s labor laws. In the future, the UAE hopes to work towards equal treatment of domestic migrant workers before the law and the abolition of bad practices, which can include sexual abuse of female domestic migrant workers and confiscation of passports, with a nuanced approach. The UAE also encourages the setting up of labour unions that advocate the rights of such workers, especially the human rights of female migrant domestic workers who suffer under vulnerable status. Furthermore, we suggest that a more contemporary convention should be written, which includes a set of international labour laws, and we urge all states to ratify the convention and comply with the agreed laws. The UAE requests all states to respect and understand the special circumstances and predicament of developing countries while pledging to work towards better, more humane and lawful treatment for domestic migrant
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workers. In conclusion, we call on state members of SOCHUM to commit to strengthening and upgrading respective legislation so that we can hand in hand concentrate our efforts on the protection of domestic migrant workers and regional collaboration to move towards our common goal.
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United Kingdom Although the United Kingdom has not ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, The United Kingdom has implemented many laws that give migrant workers equal rights in the kingdom. These rights include things such as the right to join a union or the right to paid leave. The United Kingdom therefore wishes for other nations to create similar laws to protect their own migrant workers. We therefore propose a plan that would require other nations to do the same, and for nations to increase diplomatic bonds so that illegal trafficking does not occur. The delegate hopes that such a law may be agreed upon, and looks forward to an lively and fruitful debate.
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United States of America The free migration of labour lies at the very heart of foreign policy and is without a doubt a crucial component of a free market. The United States of America as a nation recognizes that it owes great historical debts to this migration not just economically but socially and culturally as well. Of more than 200 million people across the world who are living and working outside their country of birth, one in five reside in The United States of America. The United States of America views the effective migration of labour as a guaranteed benefactor to all involved, be it families, workers, originating or hosting states. By ensuring the fluidity of the working force, the migrating labourer plays an important in the economic mechanisms by meeting the demand for labour across borders. In return, destination countries must strive to protect the rights of migrant workers, whether they are residents or foreign nationals, regardless of the level of skill required to take up the job – domestic workers being no exception. Labor-‐related rights in particular include the right to acceptable conditions of work, to organize and negotiate with employers, to be free from discrimination and to be safe from the threat of forced or child labor. Deeply concerned with the aforementioned issues, The United States of America is proud to have been part of important steps towards ensuring the undisputed equality of Domestic Migrant Workers before the law on equal terms with any other worker in the host country. As a migrant worker it can be difficult to navigate in a new foreign culture and thus easy to fall prey to exploitations and violations of several human rights. The United States of America therefore stands firmly behind The International Convention on the Protection of Rights for All Migrant Workers and Their Families. Measures like these are highly called for in order to sustain a healthy migration of labour, especially in areas such as the Domestic where abuse can be different to persecute. The United States are proud of its’ fruitful cooperation with both ILO and several NGO’s and intends to continue these efforts in order to improve the conditions of Domestic Migrant Workers all across the world.
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Zimbabwe There are many cases of abuse of migrant domestic workers worldwide due to the lack of judicial support and protection from national labour laws. This issue has already drawn a lot of attention from different parts of the globe and various countries are already willing to cooperate to protect migrant domestic workers, and Zimbabwe is of course joining our allies to safeguard the rights of migrant domestic helpers and offer protection to them. From our past history of being a colony under tyrannical rule, we fully understand how the violations of certain rights can hinder the development of an individual. Therefore we are firmly committed to the protection of human rights and equality. We have participated in the discussion: “Domestic Workers at the Interface of Migration and Development: Action to Expand Good Practice” in the Global Forum of Migration and Development in September last year in Accra. This discussion helped us formulate better policy on protecting such workers through improving our existing minimum-‐wage policies, safe remittance transfers policies, etc. We also signed The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1991 and called for the elimination of intentional discrimination against women and acts that had a discriminatory effect on women in employment, so that women migrant domestic workers would not be discriminated against when searching for jobs. We strive to protect and uphold the esteemed principle of equality in all kinds of people living in Zimbabwe, and we hope the world can work together to bring domestic migrant workers out of their gloom.