Labor is Not a Commodity

Domestic workers mobilizing to make their voices heard during the 2010 International Labor Conference

Michelle Petrotta, Program Officer, International Labor Rights Forum

Domestic work is, and historically has been, invisible and undervalued. Domestic workers are informal workers generally unprotected by national labor laws, which results in their vulnerability to unfair and often abusive treatment. The fact that domestic work takes place in a private household behind closed doors, where workers are isolated, with little access to support networks, increases the potential for labor exploitation and abuse. The majority of domestic workers are women and girls.

In some countries, even where laws have been passed providing minimum wages ad conditions such as working hours, leave days, and compulsory registration with labor departments, domestic work is still perceived as informal work where labor rights are often violated. In South Africa the Domestic Worker Sector Law was promulgated in 2002, but government enforcement of the law has been weak due to lack of resources and capacity. The South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) has expressed concern about poor enforcement of the law. The union faces great obstacles organizing due to the private nature of the sector, resulting in 4,500 members out of the estimated one million domestic workers in South Africa. Because workers are isolated, labor rights violations go unnoticed and unreported.

FUNDESS President, César Estacio, Visits ILRF and Raises Awareness for Flower Workers Worldwide

By Vanessa León, Intern, International Labor Rights Forum

The International Labor Rights Forum had the pleasure of hosting César Estacio, long time ILRF partner  and President of the Foundation for Sustainable Social Development (FUNDESS), earlier this month for a series of labor rights events in the D.C. area. A former flower worker himself, César was fired after organizing a union in his company and later black listed by the flower plantations in Cayambe, Ecuador. Having witnessed and endured labor rights violations in Ecuador’s largest flower plantation region, César came to Washington D.C. to both raise awareness of the working conditions for flower workers and educate the public on issues concerning freedom of association.

César’s trip in the nation’s capital was kicked off with local events in celebration of May Day, or International Worker’s Day.  Accompanied by IRLF’s Deputy Director, Trina Tocco, Bangladeshi and Pakistani worker representatives Kalpona Akter and Zehra Bano respectively and myself, César enjoyed an afternoon of speeches by a variety of labor leaders, activists and elected officials at the Maryland and District of Columbia AFL-CIO’s May Day Picnic hosted by the National Labor College.  Later, with American flag in hand, it was off to Lafayette Park where over half a million people turned up to participate in the May Day for America March organized by The Campaign to Reform Immigration for America.  To get the most up-to-date action alerts and information on immigration reform events in your area, text JUSTICE (or JUSTICIA for Spanish) to 69866 or click here to sign up online.

Reportback from 2010 “Sweatshop Workers Speak Out” Speaking Tour

By Vanessa León, Intern, International Labor Rights Forum

The International Labor Rights Forum and SweatFree Communities just wrapped up an exciting and productive three-week long speaking tour that featured ILRF’s Deputy Director, Trina Tocco, and worker representatives from Bangladesh and Pakistan, Kalpona Akter and Zehra Bano respectively, taking a stand against tax dollar support for sweatshops. The traveling trio began their journey in St. Paul, Minnesota, visiting various universities, chapels and conference centers along the Midwest before completing the tour right here in DC with a special Mother’s Day International Labor Day briefing on Capitol Hill.

YOU CAN VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY HERE.

The tour would not have been such a success if it wasn’t for the riveting testimonies that our international colleagues were able to provide. Kalpona Akter, a former child factory worker from the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, told of the grave working conditions occurring in the garment factories of Bangladesh.  From poverty wages not being able to cover half the expenses for one person to the threatening and dismissal of workers who try to organize, Kalpona gave all an inside look at the neglect to worker’s rights and safety that the Bangladesh Parliament has for the many factories they own. Kalpona also reminded everyone of the tragic Garib & Garib Newaj Bangladesh factory fire that killed 21 employees and injured 50 others this past March. Workers’ efforts to escape proved to be both futile and fatal as factory doors had been previously locked.

Happy Mother's Day and the 2010 Report on the Colombian Floriculture Industry by Corporación Cactus

By Vanessa León, Intern, International Labor Rights Forum

 

Although it’s not too far fetched to imagine in this tough economy, picture yourself desperately in need of a job. You search and search, despite the fact that there aren’t many jobs to pick from in the first place, and then out of nowhere- a job comes to you! What are the chances?!  So two or three months of hard work on your part go by and then your boss tells you that your services are no longer needed. Not only that, you are told that you won’t be able to find work elsewhere in the company should you choose not to sign a contract stating that such a decision was reached mutually by your employer and yourself. What do you do? Do you sign?