IDAY Newsletter - Summer 2016 by Iday-International

IDAY

Newsletter summer 2016

Invisible workers

Together, we can protect child domestic workers

Raising voices for education in Africa

Features - News from the IDAY network - Domestic workers - Interview with Vicky Kanyoka - Combating child abuse in Togo ©IDAY

©IDAY&Rosalie Colfs

Welcome! Index 2 - The Chairman’s view 3 - News from IDAY network 4 - 5 Child domestic workers 6-7 Interview with Vicky Kanyoka 8 - Combating child abuse in Togo

Get in touch with IDAY

IDAY Chairman’s view Dear friends and partners, With the domestic workers’ legal recognition and training project in East Africa and DRC, IDAY has once more demonstrated that its approach carries success.

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It is indeed by bringing together local civil society and governments that the project is booking concrete results : first by obtaining significant advances in the authorities’ and public awareness of the domestics workers, so far largely “ invisible ”.

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@iday (IDAY-International)

About IDAY IDAY-International is an advocacy network of African civil associations working in the field of education. IDAY-International fights for the right of every young African to get full access to quality education by encouraging a positive and sustainable dialogue between African civil society and their governments.

This result, like in other IDAY programmes, demonstrates that IDAY activities conform with the recommendations of the main development specialists and of true philanthropy. First, by bringing people closer to their government and by facili tating the dialogue among them in accordance with the recommendations of Professors Amrtya Sen and Angus Deaton, two Nobel Price winners in Economics. Also, by valorizing local initiatives, that other development specialists such as William Easterly (The Tyranny of the Experts) or Dreirdre McCloskey (Bourgeois Dignity) consider to be key features of sustainable and equitable development. It is to be hoped that a growing number of donors will also perceive this approach as fundamental

Jean-Jacques Schul Président-fondateur d’IDAY-International

IDAY-International 19, rue des Jambes - 1420 Braine-l’Alleud - Belgique 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).

With the support of King Baudouin Foundation

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News / IDAY’network The Rwandan media addresses domestic work

The project team in Rwanda organized a press conference on May 16, to sort out current situation of domestic workers in Rwanda, highlight the project activities, discuss on national policy on domestic workers, and inform about ILO Convention no 189 and the role of media on the above mentioned issues. The project “ Stopping violence against child and young domestic workers through regulation and education ” is implemented in Rwanda by CLADHO, in partnership with the trade union CESTRAR and the National Commission for Children.

IDAY were at GPSA Forum

On May 19-20, IDAY Founder, Jean-Jacques Schul, attended the GPSA Global Partners Forum 2016 in Washington. There were many workshops, discussions and interesting meetings to advocate for the right to education for all in Africa.

The press conference gathered more than 60 journalists and various representatives of the project. The Director of Labour in Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA), Alexandre TWAHIRWA, was present and detailed the political and legal framework addressing domestic work in Rwanda, especially child domestic work. Gaspar MPAKANYI, representing the trade union CESTRAR, gave an overview of the role of trade unions in the protection and promotion of domestic workers and the rights to association of domestic workers. The issue of domestic work receives extensive press attention, with many articles in the news. This shows increasing attention from the media, the public and the authority for this large challenge of protection and professionalization of domestic workers in Rwanda.

EPOCH IDAY is lucky to receive part of the profits of the sales of the products EPOCH. Hence, IDAY invites all those who are after natural products, including their excellent baobab butter, to welcome their generous offer.

©IDAY-Rwanda

Join IDAY at the European days for Development (EDD16) ! When ? 15 & 16 June 2016

Where ? Tour & Taxis, Brussels Come visit us on 15 & 16 June and meet experts from the field, make quiz and enjoy more activities. On 16 June, we will also celebrate the day of the African Youth. More infos on our Facebook page and website.

Delivery lastThursday of the month at Pharmacy Djomo 34, Avenue émile de Beco, 1050 Ixelles

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IDAY p. 3 / Summer 2016

©IDAY

Young domestic workers

IDAY is mobilized to offer them a better protection Since the beginning of this year, the IDAY network has launched an advocacy campaign to protect and ensure access to education for child and young domestic workers in East Africa and the DRC. This campaign is based on the alarming results of our statistical survey, led by multidisciplinary teams in the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The IDAY coalitions worked hard during those last 2 years : first, they concerted with stakeholders and prepared the survey with the thousands of partners (including authorities, universities, national institutes of statistics, etc.) ; then hundreds of surveyors knocked at the door of more than 22.000 persons across the 5 countries; finally the teams centralised the thousands of questionnaires in each capital city, analysed the data and proced the results.

Child domestic workers

The survey confirmed the alarming issue of child domestic workers (http://invisibleworkers.eu/report/) : 1 out of 3 domestic workers is under 18 years old. Among the minors, most of them are young persons of 16 – 17 years, forced by the poverty of their family to leave school and look for an “ easy ” job.

workers. The limited skills cause various professional challenges, creating vulnerabilities and conflicts with the employer.

So, what can we do ?

To combat this complex issue, the IDAY network and in particular the coalitions of the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya, launched large communication campaigns to raise awareness of the local population about the rights of domestic workers. In particular the campaign fights against child labour in domestic work. Another component of the campaign is the advocacy to the authorities, to regulate domestic work and to provide adapted trainings for domestic workers. The government must guarantee than no children under the legal working age is involved in domestic work at the expense of

However, hundreds of children under 16 have been registered during the survey. When possible, the children were referred to local organisations in charge of child protection. The legislation of the targeted countries prohibits child labour under 16, as those children must be at school. They are sharply more vulnerable towards many forms of violence ; their revenues decrease with their ages. The younger ones usually work without any incomes.

Young domestic workers

More than 80% of domestic workers are under 30. The needs of this young population are specific and…. diverse ! Lack of contract, of social protection, of paid leaves, of legal protection, of training, etc. Domestic workers live in extreme poverty and vulnerability ; in some case it can be defined as modern slavery. An inclusive approach was adopted during the survey : employers of domestic workers participated and were interviewed. Their socio-economic profile, as well as their requirements for their domestic workers, were analysed. It is obvious that domestic workers lack education due to a massive and early school leaving. It is also due to a lack of adapted training for domestic

IDAY p. 4 / Summer 2016

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Travailleurs domestiques his education and fundamentals rights. In order to support those national efforts, the IDAY coordination office (based in Belgium) is implementing various advocacy activities to international organizations and policy-makers throughout 2016. The advocacy aims at engaging for a better regulation and accessible education for young domestic workers. For example, IDAY will present the issue of child domestic workers in Africa at the European Development Days on June 15 and 16.

OUT

In addition, IDAY promotes training programmes adapted to young domestic workers of working age. Pilot experiences have been tested in DRC, Burundi and Rwanda by various partners. The young domestic workers are trained in literacy, tailoring or culinary art. After the training, they benefit improved working conditions and enjoy better relationship with their employer. IDAY seeks to develop those pilot experiences at a larger scale, in collaboration with governments. One of the key components is to develop a curriculum in “ home management ”, including literacy, calculation, languages, hygiene, cleanliness, child care, cooking, courtesy, reception of guests, first aid. Follow our news and discover our video on http:// invisibleworkers.eu/fr

©IDAY

Joseph Matheka, Project National coordinator in Kenya, shares his project’s experience about partnerships From the start of the Child Domestic Workers (CDW) Project, I found out that there were many activities and initiatives involving domestic work in general and child domestic workers in particular that I could become part of. In 2014, the International Labor Organization (ILO) led initiative for strengthening the institutional and legislative response to the protection of child domestic workers. Our team actively participated in the process.

The Ministry of Labor and Social services is the ministry in charge of child labor, as well as the ratification of ILO Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers. We already have had a few exploratory meetings with the principal actors in the ratification of C189 (the Central Organization of Trade Unions, the Kenya Federation of Employers and the Government of Kenya - through the Ministry of Labor).

The CDW Project is also in touch with a Member of Parliament who has presented a very comprehensive The project also took advantage of partnerships bill in parliament that addresses many of the concerns with other labor unions and NGO’s working in the ©IDAY contained in the Convention n°189. We hope to join field of child labor. We have developed a very strong partnership with the local trade union for domestic workers her campaign to have the bill become a law. (KUDHEIHA).

Did you know ?

# 30% of domestic workers are under 18 ! # Poverty is the leading cause of school dropout and child domestic work # Almost 1/5 domestic worker never went to school # The average monthly salary of a domestic worker is between 12 € and 36 € Données compilées dans les 5 pays de l’enquête régionale réalisée par IDAY.

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IDAY p. 5 / Summer 2016

Interview with Vicky Kanyoka 1 Within the domestic workers regional project, IDAY was able to work with IDWF (International Domestic Workers Federation). Vicky Kanyoka is IDWF’s coordinator for the sub-region on domestic work ; she kindly answered our questions and gives a very accurate overview on the ©IDWN ILO blog

Can you tell us more about the domestic work in East Africa and DRC? Why is it an issue and why should we be concerned about it ?

As a trade union federation, the main goals of IDWF are : to unite into powerful force to overcome the exploitation and abuse experienced by domestic workers in the world, change power relationships, determine the economic and social destinies and secure freedom, justice, wellbeing , security and peace. In East Africa IDWF works for the three countries which includes Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. In these countries IDWF have three domestic workers unions which are affiliates of IDWF. The unions are as follows : Kenya – KUDHEIHA, UgandaUHFTAWU, Tanzania mainland- CHODAWU(T) and Zanzibar – CHODAWU(Z). Domestic work in East Africa is mostly like slavery. Many domestic workers have no contract. These results into being not paid well or paid in kind. Domestic workers are paid very low. For example in Tanzania the “ live in ” are paid $20 per month which is not equivalent to the work load and time spent. They work for more than 12hrs/day, especially the “ live in ”. They are junk of all trade in the house, such as taking care of children, fetching water and fire woods from the long distance, cook, do laundry work, taking care of the old and sick people. In fact they are doing all work in the house with no job description. Moreover the laws in the country recognize all workers that is domestic workers are inclusive like Tanzanian law Employment labour relation act of 2004. But the enforcement is too poor. It workers when cases of DWs are being submitted. Most of the cases like unfair termination and dismissal, not being paid well or not paid at all, abused are send to the trade union. Another issue is the lack of social protection for domestic workers such as social security or maternity leave ; working in a very hazardous condition with no protective gears ; etc. Furthermore these countries have not ratified the ILO Convention n°189 on decent work for domestic workers. As stipulated in the ILO C189, which also IDWF participated in contribution during the discussion in 2010 and 2011, domestic workers all around the world have a significant contribution to the economy of the world. As the unemployment rate is increasing in our region, domestic work creates job for women and men also. Domestic workers are workers like other workers in the world. They are human being and deserve human rights like other people. It goes with all international instruments which support workers as well as human rights as specified in the ILO C189.

IDAY p. 6 / été 2016

situation of invisible workers.

IDWF is also concerned by the alarming situation of migrant domestic workers from East Africa to Middle East. The region and IDWF in general has made it as one of the priority to ensure that migrant domestic workers are protected and hence IDWF should have some interventions.

Why are children and youth specifically concerned with this issue ?

The Workplace for children and other youth who are below 18 is at school. Our region has to invest in education in order to be developed and go away with poverty, illiterate and disease. Taking them to work as workers is against ILO Conventions n°182 on the worst forms of child labour and n°138 on minimum age.

Can you tell us about IDWF and its actions in the sub-region ? IDWF is the International Domestic Workers Federation. In our region IDWF has done the followings : # Identify domestic workers in the region and support them in trainings on organising and recruitment drive, domestic workers’ rights, trade unionism or strategic planning. # Unite them with other domestic workers in the region and globally through meetings or whatsap group. # Share and exchange issues related to domestic workers and migrant domestic workers through whatsap group, email and IDWF communication network and our website. # Build solidarity with other labour movement like the trade union federations and other organization such as ILO, Solidarity centre or IDAY national coalitions. # Organize and support campaigns to ratify ILO Convention n°189. # Conduct sub regional training on trade union issues or migrant domestic workers. # Participate in international forum such as founding congress of IDWF in 2013 in Uruguay- Montevideo. # Regularly communicate with affiliates to facilitate their active participation in IDWF and support them technically.

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Interview / Vicky Kanyoka

Vicky Kanyoka is a trade unionist. She worked for more than 20 years in the trade union known as Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and allied workers union (CHODAWU) as the director on Women, Gender and Youth. She also coordinated a project on child labour and child domestic workers supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO– IPEC and TBP) for 10 years. Since 2009, she is working for the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) as the regional coordinator for Africa region.

According to IDWF, what are the key components to improve domestic workers’ life and working conditions in the sub-region ?

According to IDWF, I would say there are 4 key components to improve domestic workers’ life and working conditions in the sub-region. Our governments should start by ratifying the ILO Convention n°189 on decent work for domestic workers and the ILO C182 on elimination of worst forms of child labour. Then the countries need an enforcement of labour laws, such as increase and empower of inspectors to inspect at workplaces. Another key element is to organize domestic workers’ trade unions and to unite into powerful unions to overcome exploitation and abuse. The fourth element is to set specific measures to protect and respect migrant domestic workers.

Who are the main partners to involve and how should they work together? What is the role of the trade unions? And what could be the role of the local NGO’s ?

The main partners to involve are any organization who are willing to support domestic workers, as we did during the campaign for the ratification of ILO C189. They included associations, women groups, NGOs, migrant domestic workers’ groups, Faith Group Organisations, trade union federation, national unions, youth groups, informal workers, academicians, researchers, networks, etc. Also we had international organizations such as FES, SC, Amnesty International, Global union Federations (like IUF, ITUC) etc. Other organization collaborates with IDWF by providing support such as technically and financially support; Other collaborate together in sharing the resources to work together such as human resource, and finance ; Others take the responsibility to conduct the research ; Others will opt to share experience. But it all depends on the organizational roles an agreement. The major role of trade unions all around the world is to defend and protect workers rights in the world of work. Local enjoy I think as NGOs most of them are good or are expert. They can support in trainings, research, and documentation just to mention a few.

©IDAY-Uganda

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IDAY p. 7 / été 2016

Combating child abuse in Togo

n the Kara region of Togo, the rights of numerous children are regularly abused. The violence takes many forms : obligation to work from a young age, allegations of witchcraft leading to family and social exclusion as well as mental or physical abuse - sometimes even infanticide -, child trafficking or sexual exploitation. Each of them his detrimental to their ability to attend school. These abuses are made possible by a general lack of knowledge about children’s rights, impunity, the absence of effective protection systems and the gap in care structures for vulnerable children. Thus sensitising the communities to make sure that children’s rights are better known and upheld is fundamental in order to combat all these forms of abuse.

negative effects of child trafficking, early entry into work and other forms of infringement on the rights of children. This is to be supported by the strengthening of the organisational and operational capacity of institutional and community stakeholders in terms of the promotion and protection of children. For instance, youth clubs and training clubs will be formed to take over the sensitisation efforts. The aim is to foster structures and attitudes that will ensure the protection of these children in the long run.

This is what RESOPE, a network of local organisations member of the IDAY-Togo coalition, has set to do with this project. It intends to engage the local populations through awareness activities and training sessions on children’s rights and obligations of the duty-bearers, and the administrative and judicial steps that can be taken to protect children from abuse. Community exchange forums will also be set up to help raise awareness about the

Thanks to an first grant of the European Bank for Development Institute, the project’s activities are to be launched mid-2016. Still, additional resources are needed to achieve the goals of the pilote phase, the cost of which is estimated to 29.611€. Supporting this initiative! Help us uphold the rights of all children in the Kara region, and ultimately improve their access to education!

The one-year pilote phase of the project also includes assistance to about a hundred of children identified by the commuities as victim of abuse or at risk.

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