Working conditions: time for Member States of European Commission to implement the ILO domestic workers convention | WPN World People News

The European Commission welcomes the adoption by the EU's Council of Ministers of a Decision authorising Member States to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention concerning fair and decent work for domestic workers (Convention No. 189). The Decision was proposed by the Commission in March 2013 (see IP/13/264), and endorsed by the European Parliament. The 2011 ILO Domestic Workers Convention requires signatory countries to take measures to ensure fair and decent working conditions and to prevent abuse, violence and child labour in domestic employment.

"Improving working conditions in personal services is a key objective for the Commission" said László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. "I therefore welcome this Decision, which paves the way for ratification of the ILO Convention by EU Member States and contributes to fighting trafficking in human beings. I urge Member States to implement this Convention as soon as possible".

To implement the Convention, ratifying States will have to make sure that domestic workers:

receive equal treatment with other workers as regards compensation and benefits, for example in the case of maternity

.are informed of the terms and details of their employment

.are protected against discrimination

.are offered decent living conditions

.have easy access to complaint mechanisms.

Finally, the Convention also sets out rules regarding foreign recruitment.

EU legislation, such as Directives on health and safety, workers' rights, gender equality, trafficking and asylum, already addresses some aspects covered by the ILO Convention. The provisions of the Convention share the same approach as this legislation and are broadly consistent. On many issues, EU law is more protective than the Convention. However, the Convention is more precise than EU law on the coverage of domestic workers by legislation and in other particular aspects of domestic work.

source:European Commission