NEWS
Summer 2012
EDUCATION AND CHILD LABOUR IN AFRICA
Education of domestic workers: Reinforcing the tertiary sector
CONTENT p1 Lead photo p1 Word from the President Š IDAY-International aisbl
p2 Brief p3-4 Domestic workers p5 Advocacy p6 Missions Raising voices for education in Africa
p7 Your commitment
Lead Photo
Burundi - 2011 - A domestic worker attending an English course
The second Millennium Development Goal sets out quality basic education for all. For all also includes the ones ignored by society such as these «invisible» workers: the domestic workers. Hidden behind high walls in big African cities, these youngsters do not roam the streets, they are not a political issue. They just work hard from dawn to dusk. These youngsters bring the children of their employer to schools they cannot attend themselves. They remain burried under human despise.
«The Invisible Workers» An IDAY documentary directed by Edouard Valette (Mundis production) about the condition of domestic workers in East Africa and DR Congo 15€
IDAY-International aisbl - 19, rue des Jambes - 1420 Braine-l’Alleud - Belgium Responsible publisher: J-J. Schul - Redactor in chief/graphist: D. Devillers Contact: T. +32 (0)2 385 44 13 - F. +32 (0)2 385 44 12 - info@iday.org Bank account: IBAN - BE 93 5230 8026 6767 - SWIFT - TRIOBEBB (TRIODOS)
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Long is the road to improve their lot, yet IDAY is proud of what the network’s members are already doing to address this matter. Young domestic workers in Africa may no longer be forgotten and denied the respect and quality basic education they deserve. At last their cause is advocated for to the governments responsible for their rights.
Jean-Jacques Schul Founding member & Chairman of IDAY-International
Brief.
IDAY WORLD - June 16 International Day of the African Child On the 16th of June each year, the International Day of the African Child is celebrated accross the whole African continent. It commemorates the massacre of students who demonstrated peacefully for a better education in 1976 in Soweto, South Africa. This day of mobilisation ought to remain at the hands of civil society. This is why the IDAY-International network was created for Europe and Africa to take joint action on the 16th of June and throughout the year for the education of all children and youth in Africa.
WORLD - June 16 Domestic workers in the spotlight. 1st anniversary of the ILO Convention n째 189 and the Recommendation n째 201 on domestic workers! On the 16th of June 2011, in Geneva, the 183 membre States of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)1 adopted a Convention aimed at improving the lot of dozens of thousands of domestic workers across the world. A turnkey international legal instrument, this treaty should help strengthen the protection of their fundamental and socio-economic rights provided that the signatory States ratify it. 1. UN specialised institution comprising of representatives of the governments, the employees and the employers
WORLD - June 12
World Day against child labour
WORLD - June 17 Adoption of the Convention on the worst forms of child labour ILO adopted the Convention n째182 on the 17th of June 1999 with the view to fostering immediate and global action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The convention identifies among others activities such as child labour as slavery, debt bondage, prostitution, enrolment in armed groups, and any activity likely to cause harm to the child. Hazardous or not, child labour remains a dayly reality in many countries and a considerable obstacle to education!
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1. Poem for children and youth, CEJEDER asbl, Democratique Republic of Congo.
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n family. er daughter aid in my ow d I became a m dog, because I am the ol n the dishes a ea s cl a I k , m or w 7a t, I the house, at the meal Day and nigh eep and cleanarket, at 10am, I prepare sw I , m 6a t A to the m dishes At 9am, I goAt 11:30am, I clean more ol ho sc to A 12pm, I goend of the year, I fail e th by nd a I arrive late call me «less intelligent» rural world They an in the is to be a womis early marriage it e rs cu a t Wha of women n where the fate have no right to educatio ys bo s rl n a gi where dged th re less privile where girls a
They are young, sometimes still children who are not even sixteen yet. Many were driven out of the countryside to come to the city. They would accept any living condition to subsist. They clean, cook, garden, mind children, repair. They are called «maid» and «boys». Often regarded as unworthy, sometimes abused, they are usually «invisible». They are domestic workers. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on decent working conditions for domestic work was signed by 183 States on the 16th of June 2011. One year later, Uruguay is the first and only country that ratified it. Campaigns are ongoing for more countries to follow, knowing also that a second ratification is required for the Convention to enter into force. In the 30s, ILO assumed that logically domestic work would soon disappear. With the apparition of the vacuum cleaner and the washing machine, this professional activity seemed obsolete. Quite the opposite, in fact: the figures went up. Nowadays the number of domestic workers is officially estimated at about 52,6 millions worldwide.
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Considering the hidden nature of this activity, this figure could very well double in reality. In Africa, multiple factors may explain this phenomenon while making it very complex. One of many factors, domestic work appears to be well received by many in Africa as an opportunity for girls to learn about their future life as married women - which also explains that there is a majority of female workers in this sector. This is all the more true when their are «hosted» by relatives who give the impression that the child will have better education and life opportunities than in the countryside. Well, far from it. For most young domestic workers, their contact with schools is limited to bringing the children of their employer to class. Other «pull» factors are equally at play such as inequalities, debt bondage, or the need for women working outside the home to find someone else to carry out daily housekeeping. As of today, structures providing household and care services remain too few to satisfy this new demand for personal service. The ILO reports also outline the
Education of domestic workers:
Reinforcing the tertiary Sector influence of poverty, followed by social exclusion, lack of education, discrimination, violence suffered by the child at home, rural exodus and death of one or both parents.
Life as a domestic worker may have an irreversible physical, moral and psychological impact on one’s development, health and well-being Work often starts early in the morning and finishes late at night. Domestic workers are using toxic chemical products, carry heavy loads and manipulate dangerous ustensiles. According to specialised organisations, other abuses also occur: physical and sexual abuse, confinement, unpaid wages and deprivation of food or medical care. The risks are even higher when domestic workers live at their employer’s house. The ILO Convention 189 could significantly contribute to the recognition of domestic workers and to advancing their right to the same protection than any other category of labour. This Convention also includes dispositions by which the States must
guarantee access to education and training to minors from 15 to 18 years of age. Most countries have laws and regulations forbidding child labour under 14 years of age (work for teenagers aged 14 to 18 is admitted as long as it is not hazardous). They are however not systematically enforced. An estimated 15.5 million children (age 5 to 17) were engaged in domestic work in 20081 . The ILO considers domestic work as one of the worst forms of child labour. Children who started working from their early age usually never attended school. When they reach the minimum age for admission to work (15), they
have even less chances to start or continue studying. Still, both the employees and employers would benefit from these young people’s capacity not only to read, write and count but also to be trained in the various tasks they perform such as cooking, budget management, and more generally, hygiene, health, foreign languages, human rights, etc. Qualified domestic workers would provide better services to their employer while being able to negociate better terms of employement, a higher salary. Being aware of their rights, they would also be able to defend themselves against abuses.
Meeting the growing need for household services with a supply of qualified work will contribute to both the development of a competent tertiary sector in Africa and the absorption of unemployed youngsters. For years on, members of the IDAY network have been committed to providing quality trainings fitted for the young domestic workers. Their efforts, together with those of the governments, undoubtedly give hope for a brighter future for these invisible workers.
1 Questions and answers on the hidden reality of children in domestic work, ILO article, 8 August 2008
The CAD, a training center at the service of domestic workers
Domestic worker, a profession to be proud of Outraged by the way young domestic workers were treated in Burundi, Mrs Goreth Kanyange’s association Convergence pour l’Autodétermination des Domestiques (CAD), a member of IDAY-Burundi, launched in 2002 a training center for domestic workers in Bujumbura. The idea resembles that of apprenticeship as it exists in Europe: a combination of theorical studies at school and practical training with an employer, with the class schedule adjusted to the working one. CAD dispenses literacy courses in the local language, courses in foreign languages, and a professional training including courses in cooking, hygene, and behaviour.
week schedule. The students invest in their training by paying a fee representing up to one fourth of their wage during the whole time of their training. By the end of it, they receive an official certificate. With this document, they can promote their professional skills with future employers, and secure appropriate terms and working conditions. Their salary is also likely to increase. The association’s principles help (re)build personal selfesteem and professional skills. The domestic workers can eventually be proud of themselves and of their job, and be considered as professionals making a valuable contribution to the economy and society as a whole.
The training programme takes 4 years, with a 3x2 hour-per-
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What’s up? up? On the occasion of the June 16 celebration, the network is mobilised and invites you to join its activities! Belgium 26 June
Training of young domestic workers in Africa - projection/debate, position paper (Brussels)
Burkina Faso The right to education of children with 11-16 June disabilities: inclusive education - workshop, forum-theatre, conference (Kaya) Burundi 16 juin
Combatting school drop out - workshop (Ruyigi)
Cameroun The right to education of children with 1-16 juin disabilities: media actions, advocacy event, sensitisation march (Yaoundé) France Fighting malaria in schools to achieve education november for all in Africa - conference (Paris) Gabon 16 June
Quality basic education for all forum, sensitisation march (Libreville)
Ghana 16 June
Reducing malaria in schools with Artemisia annua - woarkshop (Accra)
Guinea 9-16 June
The impact of begging on children’s education - press conference, sensitisation tour, focus panel, official advocacy ceremony (Conakry)
Kenya 3-13 June
The right to education of children deprived of their liberty - data collection, conference, media actions (Kirigiti Remand Home, Nairobi))
Nigeria 22 June
A new vision for enhanced education in Nigeria - symposium and awareness campaign (Kaduna)
Togo The right to education of children with 11-15 June disabilities - radio talks, sensitisation march, debate/conference, official ceremony (Dapaong) UK 16 June
Education for all in Africa: children in destitution and with disabilities - conference (London)
Zanzibar The right to education of children with 14-16 June disabilities - discussion forum, radio talk, position paper (Stonetown)
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Advocacy. IDAY network advocates for
The
education for domestic workers
Several members of the IDAY network have been campaigning regularly on access to training for domestic workers, especially for young ones. Since 2008, IDAY-Burundi together with specialised lawyers lead a campaign for the government to adopt a law on domestic work. Through workshops, media coverage and meetings with the competent authorities, the coalition calls on the government to address this issue. IDAY-Burundi voices its demands as to the necessary regulation and the extension of adapted vocational literacy programmes throughout the whole country. IDAY coalitions in East Africa launched in 2010 a regional action (6 countries) with similar objectives. In this framework, the network produced the sensitisation documentary «Invisible workers» which is showed in Africa and Europe. Surveys are also foreseen in each country to determine the situation and the needs of the domestic workers ... and of their employers. IDAY-Uganda and IDAY-Kenya set up a Steering Committee to implement the programme in their respective countries. As for IDAY-Guinea, it intends to pursue the sensitisation campaign launched in 2011 on the right to education of young female domestic workers. Via proximity activities, radio talks and conferences, the coalition strived to raise public awareness on this issue and to interpellate the authorities.
Missions. Artemisia annua against malaria
A broad university research programme in Kenya on Artemisia annua. Il will involve several disciplines : medical, together with the Ministry of Health (KEMRI), agriculture, enthomological/environmental and social/educational. More than 20 univeristy professors and students will participate. The Vice-Chancellor wishes also to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with IDAY in view of the common goal of education for all.
The Kenyatta University has publicly welcomed the implication of IDAY in the fight against malaria during a meeting with its founding chairman, Jean-Jacques Schul on May 23rd. Kenyatta University will soon launch a research programme
Research will last 5 years. Phase I lasting 3 years will be devoted to the clinical tests, with the hope to convince the World Health Organisation with sicetific arguments about the soundness of using Artemisia annua tea. Terms of reference are under preparation. The University will put installations, equipment and staff at the disposal of the project. IDAY must find the outside funds needed to implement this ambitious project.
IDAY has lost a
father
Simon Deckers was the first person to have identified the potential of the IDAY network. He allowed, in particular, the organisation of two major events that helped launch IDAY : the first June 16 commemoration at the European Parliament in 2006 and the first General Assembly. Simon Deckers also contributed a significant amount to the capital of the Message of Yaguine & FodĂŠ Fund (King Baudouin Foundation) from where IDAY originated. He was a member of its Management Committee. Simon Deckers died in Antwerp on May 23 2012 at the age of 84. From now on, the spirit of this generous and visionnary man will shine in the hearts of millions of African children.
SIMON DECKERS
9 january 1928 - 23 may 2012
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