IDAY Newsletter - The Invisible workers

IDAY

Newsletter Winter 2014

The Invisible Workers Š IDAY-International aisbl

Features

Raising voices for education in Africa

News from IDAY network Domestic workers project Interviews: Patrick Spirlet (UE) and Minoru Nagasawara (ILO)

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Index 2 - The Chairman’s view 3 - News from IDAY-International 4-5 - Domestic workers regional project 6 - Interview with Patrick Spirlet (UE) 7 - Interview with Minoru Nagasawara (ILO) 8 - FES Project in Togo With the support from King Baudouin Foundation

About IDAY IDAY-International is an advocacy network of African civil associations working in the education field.

IDAY-International fights for the rights of every young African to get full access to quality education by encouraging a positive and sustainable dialogue between the African civil society and their governments.

IDAY-International 19, rue des Jambes - 1420 Braine-l’Alleud - Belgium Responsible Publisher: J-J. Schul Editor in chief / Graphic Designer: L. Fourmentin Phone: +32 (0)2 385 44 12 - lfourmentin@iday.org Bank account: IBAN - BE 93 5230 8026 6767 BIC - TRIOBEBB (TRIODOS).

IDAY p. 2 / Winter 2014

The Chairman’s view Christmas is the time for hope for a better and more caring world. On this occasion, I wish to express my special thoughts to: - The 185 people, mostly women and children, who have been abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria and the 224 Nigerian teenage girls kidnapped for more than 200 days. IDAY expresses its sympathy to Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman who has taken the courageous lead in trying to free the girls and to our members Chief Yemisi A. Sanusi and M. Mohammed Attah who lent their active support.

- The 1000 + African youngsters, men, women & children who died this year during clandestine migrations triggered by the lack of prospects in their home country.

- The families of the victims of the violence in Northern Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo; of the Ebola epidemics in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, not forgetting, however, the parents of the 400 000 children who died this year of malaria despite a remedy that could easily be accessible to all.

- The unknown number of minors in prison who are deprived of education and have no hope for a decent live. The equally unknown number of domestic workers to whom this Newsletter issue is dedicated, but also the large number of children, and particularly the girls, in refugee camps or simply in post-conflict areas where schooling remains a hazardous undertaking.

- A special thought for Barbara Twikirize Kanwarutokye, an 18year old Ugandan domestic worker who was burnt to death for asking her employer to pay her salary and for all the domestic workers who experience similar abject abuse. Not to mention the domestic workers who lack professionalism in their function, and for some take revenge because of frustration, where no regulations protect employees and employers.

With Mrs Usman, let us all “join hands in standing up for the oppressed” and build a world where justice prevails. It warms the heart to know that so many African organizations are standing up to the challenge and I show them our respect for their relentless work.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jean-Jacques Schul Chairman - Founder of IDAY-International www.iday.org

News / IDAY-International

Regional Assembly 2014 - East Africa In Muramvya (Burundi) on the 6 and 7 November 2014, national coalitions members of IDAY network met for their Regional Assembly of East Africa. The attending coalitions were from Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and IDAY-International.

Eric Uwintwaza from Burundi Compétences was the trainer.

Talks and key decisions covered the following points: coalition management, collective advocacy strategies, thoughts about IDAY and the network’s objectives, overview and perspectives of regional campaigns, shares of responsibilities in terms of financing and regional coordination and exchanges.

The regional Assembly for West Africa will take place in 2015 at a date that will depend on the evolution of the Ebola epidemics in the region.

Seminar 4-5-6 November 2014 - Muramvya Education of children and young people in protracted displacement in Africa Stakeholders from the African civil society, international organizations, UN agencies and many others actors held a meeting the 4, 5 and 6 November 2014 in Muramvya-Burundi to discuss the state of education of children and youth living in protracted displacement in Africa. They launched a collective action to promote the rights of these children and youth to access quality education. After the seminar, all participants visited the displaced persons camp of Mugunga near Goma.

Welcome to IDAYNiger!

The IDAY network is proud to welcome a new national coalition: IDAY-Niger is just born. The constituent Assembly took place on the 30th November 2014, 7 organizations attended and adopted the statutes, the internal rules and regulations and proceededed with the creation of a National Executive Bureau.

The new IDAY-Niger coalition is willing to complete the works achieved by the “Réseau des Organisations du Secteur éducatif au Niger” (Rosen) by promoting a diverse and adapted educational offer to non- or unschooled youth and children.

Exchanges between coalitions From 21 to 25 December 2014 the CIAD (member of IDAYBurundi) conducts a support mission to IDAY-Tanzania in Nyarugusu refugee camp about the development of cultivation of Artemisia annua.

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Awards The IDAY network is extremely proud to see more of its members rewarded for their unwavering commitment to the development of Africa and their actions towards the neglected and vulnerable ones.

Here are the award winners in 2014: Dr. Denis Mukwege - Sakharov Prize 2014 for his work at Panzi Hospital in DRC where he shelters and operates women and girls victims of rape.

Patrick Engeu Ongwang - awarded by the Ugandan Ministry of Health for his research on Artemisia annua to treat malaria.

Annette Ntignoi for her appointment by the Belgian Senate as “Woman of Peace 2014”.

Yemisi Sanusi for her award “Ambassador of Peace” by the “Universal Peace Federation UK”.

For more information, please feel free to ask questions by sending an email to info@iday.org.

IDAY p. 3 / Winter 2014

The Invisible Workers

“Put an end to violence against young domestic workers in East Africa and DRC by regulation and education” The problem

The project

Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and DRC all have an unknown number of children working as domestic workers. This particular form of labor appears to many families like an alternative to street jobs, delinquency or enrolment in irrgeular armed forces (in particular in Kivu, Burundi and Rwanda).

Since 2010, several organizations member of the IDAY network raised their concerns about this issue and the East African members decided to launch a collective regional campaign.

Preliminary surveys were realized in 2013 by IDAY-Burundi, IDAYDRC in Kinshasa and by IDAY-Uganda in Kampala and confirmed the urgent need to protect these young domestic workers. Thanks to the financial support of the European Union, a broad regional project was set up for a duration of 3 years.

But it often turns out that their working conditions are close to slavery for these workers whose rights are denied and exposed to inhuman treatments leading to all kinds of violence (psychological, physical or sexual).

Moreover, juvenile domestic work is kept under the radar of child protection services because it is not considered as a legal form of work. These kids have thus no protection against abuses and are completely deprived of education and childhood.

The project is active in 5 countries: DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya and will run from November 2013 to 2016. 14 partners - representatives of the local civil society, governments concerned, UNICEF, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other country agencies concerned by the issue - are involved in this project aiming at the legal recognition of domestic work, and promoting policies against all forms of abuses against juvenile domestic workers and to ensure that these kids can access quality education.

Local expertise are in the heart of the project The Women and Children Protection Centre (WCP), in East DRC, is specialized in the hosting and training of young domestic workers. The DRC is indeed very affected by this issue and these centers meet a pressing need for training, since over 70% of domestics wish to follow one according to local surveys. The center was created on the basis of the new defunct Centre pour l’Autodéveloppement des Domestiques (CAD) in Burundi.

Since 2014, WCP offers training in literacy and dressmaking for tens of young domestic workers. WCP also carries an important advocacy work with the authorities to put in place domestic workers protection.

IDAY p. 4 / Winter 2014

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Domestic workers / IDAY Child labor concerns 15,5 million children worldwide "Child domestic labor is, according to ILO, one of the worst forms of child labor and a modern form of slavery" Ouganda - 750 000

Estimates indicate that the number of domestic workers in the countries concerned are up to 5 millions

Kenya - 1 000 000 Rwanda - 800 000

=

Burundi - 350 000

which corresponds to 1 domestic worker per household

DRC - Unavailable data

An estimated

30% of domestic workers are children IDAY Actions

× A large regional survey conducted in 5 countries × An assessment of the legal and political framework × Promotion and awareness campaigns × Trainings and exchange of good practices

What are the awaited results?

A legal regulation of domestic work and the assurance of appropriate trainings recognized by the State will : × raise the national level of education × reinforce the social status and working conditions of domestic work × develop a skilled service sector

WCP has received financial support from Belgium Soroptimist to start the center and develop their first courses: - 130 young domestic workers - including 103 girls - have followed literacy courses for 1 year. They are now able to read a contract and to demand respect for their minimum rights to their employer.

- 50 young domestic workers started training training in sewing. Through this training, young girls and boys are more competent, can claim better working conditions and develop income-generating activities.

- 50 young domestic workers are currently receiving literacy training - Several awareness campaigns have been conducted in the media and towards Congolese authorities To develop other training programs to children and young people, WCP will open a third component: training in cooking, called “Culinary Arts” and will open a small restaurant as a learning place which can also generate income for the center.

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IDAY p. 5 / Winter 2014

Interview with Patrick Spirlet Ambassador – Head of EU Delegation in Burundi

How are these young people affected by the What are, for EU, the intervention areas issue of domestic work ? that need action to sustainably improve the living conditions of young domestic In Burundi, domestic work is subject to the ILO regulations on workers? domestic workers as well as national provisions on labor law.

These instruments provide guidance on how to prevent child labor and protect young domestic workers. Furthermore, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Burundi in 1990, lists the various children’s rights.

However, despite this protective legislative framework and the Government’s commitment in the fight against child domestic labor, this issue remains a concern in Burundi. Child workers are exposed to violations of their most basic rights. They are victims of physical, sexual or psychological violences.

Why has EU decided to support projects, including IDAY’s one, in favour of domestic workers?

In general, the protection and promotion of the rights of the human person - and therefore the child - are priority objectives for the European Union deriving from international commitments undertaken by the European Union.

Therefore, the EU supports projects in the field of child protection and in particular those who are subjected to domestic work. It must be remembered that child domestic work term hinders the development of a country. Indeed, these children employed in precarious or dangerous conditions are deprived of education, health care and in most cases they are food-insecure. These facts strongly limit their access to education with important implications for their development and their integration into society. It is not by chance that 7 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)- instruments to break the cycle of poverty- directly or indirectly affect children. This is particularly important in Burundi, a country with a population comprising 56% of minors.

IDAY p. 6 / Winter 2014

The situation of human rights and in particular children is regularly discussed in diplomatic contacts with partner countries. In this case, the action of the European Union is to include prevention of Child domestic workers through a continuous outreach work in the community about the disadvantages of using child labor and the development of economical alternatives for families at risk. Accompanying measures for child domestic workers may be considered to allow them to eventually go back to school. It is important to promote advocacy at a policy level to develop a protection system for juvenil domestic workers and to inform them to put into action the documents rectified by Burundi on the protection of children. Indeed, the code and the laws are there, but it also requires to work on different levels, such as labor inspection, to implement the existing laws and texts.

Furthermore, the Delegation of the European Union in Burundi supports civil society projects to address the issue of child domestic workers.

What role can play Burundian civil society in improving the living conditions of young domestic workers?

In a recommendation devoted to the roots of democracy, the European Commission announced a strengthening of aid to civil society organizations in partner countries. She recognized these organizations as independent and effective development actors.

In this respect, Burundian civil society is illustrated by its dynamism in these areas of intervention. I believe civil society, such as various governmental actors, has an important role to play, especially about behavioral change of the society, about information and community awareness about the phenomenon of young domestic workers.

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Interviews / UE - ILO

Interview with Minoru Nagasawara

Child labor specialist for ILO in Kenya

1. Why is the domestic work an issue in the region and especially in Uganda? How are the children and youth particularly impacted by this issue?

In Africa, domestic work is often embedded in practices of support, reciprocity and interdependence between relatives, friends or people belonging to the same community. Domestic workers in Africa are more likely facing with problems such as vary poor working and employment conditions, which in many occasions lead to labour exploitation and abuses of basic human rights at work.

The hazards and risks linked to child labour in domestic work are a matter of serious concern. The ILO has identified a number of hazards and risks to which domestic workers, in particular child domestic workers, are vulnerable. Some of the most common risks children face in domestic work are: long and tiring working days; handling dangerous items, such as knives, axes and hot pans; insufficient or inadequate food and accommodation; use of toxic chemicals; carrying heavy loads; and humiliating or degrading treatment, including physical and verbal violence, and sexual abuse.

Child Labour in domestic work is one of the commonest practices in Uganda. Child domestic workers experience different forms of abuse and exploitation. As a result of the lack of clear terms of service from their employers, child domestic workers are usually over worked, not paid or underpaid. Child domestic workers particularly girls are prone to the risk of sexual exploitation by the male members of the homes where they work. Children who are employed as domestic workers are more likely deprived of an opportunity to go to school or enroll in any form of productive skills training.

2. What is ILO approach regarding this issue?

To address the issue of child labour in domestic work, special consideration should be given to the needs and vulnerabilities of children. Many child domestic workers had already dropped out of school, or were never enrolled, due to their family’s poverty.

The prohibition, prevention and elimination of child labour in domestic work and the protection of young domestic workers of legal working age are the main strategies promoted by the ILO to tackle these situations. In order to face the presence of children in domestic work in a sound way we have to promote awareness on the risks and consequences of child labour in domestic work.

Governments have to set up a clear minimum age for employment in domestic work. Children and young domestic workers have to be provided with education or vocational training, as relevant; and young domestic workers of legal working age have to be

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provided with adequate working and living conditions. These are the main initiatives to be developed by governments, the social partners, including domestic workers’ organizations, and civil society organizations in order to provide domestic workers with decent work conditions.

In 2011, the ILO adopted Convention No. 189 and Recommendation No. 201 on domestic work. Convention No.189 asks ratifying states to set a minimum age for domestic workers. Recommendation No. 201, Paragraph 5(2) suggests specific measures, “when regulating the working and living conditions of domestic workers”, to protect young domestic workers, including by: (1) Strictly limiting their hours of work to ensure adequate time for rest, education and training, leisure activities and family contacts; (2) Prohibiting night work; (3) Placing restrictions on work that is excessively demanding, whether physically or psychologically; and (4) Establishing or strengthening mechanisms to monitor their working and living conditions.

Awareness raising campaigns and advocacy against child labour in general, and child labour in domestic work in particular, capacity building of social partners for a better comprehension of child labour, support to domestic workers organizations, are other measures that could contribute to abolish child labour in domestic work or to improve the working conditions of young domestic workers. In Tanzania, for instance, the Conservation Hotels Domestic and Allied Workers’ Union (CHODAWU) has contributed to withdrawn more than 6000 children from child labour in domestic work with ILO support (through IPEC).

3. How are the objectives of the IDAY project on child domestic workers consistent with/ in line with ILO approach?

Child Labour in Domestic Work is often hidden because of its links to social and cultural patterns. In many countries child domestic work is not only accepted socially and culturally, but is also regarded in a positive light as a protected and non-stigmatised type of work and preferred to others forms of employment – especially for girls. This is one of reasons why it is quite difficult to have accurate data on domestic workers in general and on child and young domestic workers more specifically.

I am therefore hoping that the surveys being conducted by IDAY in some countries in Africa will help us to have more detailed information on Child Labour in Domestic Work. I also understand that IDAY is planning to organize awareness campaigns using the findings of the surveys. It will definitely help concerned countries to have further discussions to eliminate Child Labour in Domestic Work and improve working conditions of young domestic workers who are over the minimum age for employment.

IDAY p. 7 / Winter 2014

Project “Fonds Enfant Soleil” in Togo Poverty in rural areas and HIV/Aids pandemic in Togo cause many children to be abandoned or orphaned. On average, one in five is looked after by their extended family or the community; the others either work to survive or end up on the street, thereby missing out on education.

Le Ronier, a founding member organisation of IDAY-Togo, designed the “Fonds Enfant Soleil” (FES) programme to secure the schooling and community-based care of orphans and abandoned children.

The programme builds on the core social values of family and solidarity and focuses on education as a key to these children’s future and to the development of their community. It helps local foster families cater for orphans and poor children through small livestock grants that allow them to generate additional income to provide for their foster child’s education. After 3 years each benefiting family donates back the equivalent of what it received for more children to be supported. This family support scheme is managed by FES cooperatives in each village.

These cooperative also run community revenue-generating activities (agricultural for most) that help improve the availability and quality of education for the whole village. Thanks to savings and credit schemes put in place in each village and between villages, the programme contributes to strengthening the communities’ self-reliance.

513 children of age 5-14 in 14 villages of Southern Too have been schooled and cared for through this programme so far. It is expected to reach 1 500 orphan and vulnerable children by 2018.

IDAY-Togo is advocating to obtain increased government support for the village schools that often rely mostly on the community, and a scale up of this approach.

IDAY is thankful to Trust Netherlands Invesment Fund (NIF), Turing Foundation, Foundation Pâquerettes and the Message of Yaguine & Fodé Fund for their support to this innovative programme.

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