M1B1
DOMES TIC WORKERS’ LINK
publication of the Domestic Workers’ Movement
Editorial
And the New Year has begun... 2008 shows a lot of promise, as
domestic workers gear up to fight for justice and demand their rights.
To set the ball rolling, Domestic Workers’ Day, celebrated on
9th January, brought together domestic workers in large numbers.
Taking to the streets, they made known to society that domestic
workers, too, are dignified humans who deserve equal recognition.
From different regions, domestic workers were mobilised and rallies
were conducted. Their numbers—strikingly visible, their voices—
loud and confident and their demands—clear and true. Media attention
grabbed their moment and the public could not shy away from this
spectacle. Some were moved with compassion, some were piqued
with curiosity and yet many others seemed indifferent. But the plight
of domestic workers was highlighted and had opened the doors for
negotiations.
Labour Ministries are now in dialogue with domestic workers
and noting their situations. The ball is rolling... it should now strike a
goal. On that winning note... on 10th December 2007, Andhra
Pradesh passed the final notification of the Minimum Wage Act for
Domestic Workers. A significant achievement... deserving applause
and acclamation for the efforts put in by domestic workers and
members of the Movement in the State. When one state achieves
others feel encouraged to continue the struggle.
Now as governments provide the assurance, a bigger barrier
needs to be torn down and that is the mindset of society. Cases of
violence and abuse are still unconstrained. So our work will persist—
domestic workers will be empowered to perform dignified and diligent
jobs wherein mutual respect will be commanded between them and
their employers.
Children hold a dear place in our hearts and we are disturbed at
the atrocities still inflicted on them. Yet again we will not give up till
child labour is totally eradicted. We will reach out to the victimised,
set them on the right path and integrate them in society. We are
grateful to Dr. Peter Adriaenssens and Ms. Liesbet Smeyers of the
Catholic University, Leuven Belgium, who are here working with
the members of the Movement, providing valuable inputs and training
in aid of traumatised children. The International Day of Hope was
also celebrated in all regions on 17th February giving every child the
motivation to excel in life with proper education.
So let’s salute the New Year, we have kickstarted it well. Let’s
move on with the same passion that drives us to achieve.
SANDRA VAZ
Vol 16 No. 1—March 2008
Sr. Jeanne’s message on
Domestic Workers’ Day
th
Today, 9 January—Domestic
Workers’ Day is YOUR Day .
A Day that we all thank you for your
endurance, courage and strength.
Thank You, each and all who create
an atmosphere in homes and contribute to the quality
of life in our cities and villages.
A Day that we together celebrate your solidarity
and strength. The solidarity in your groups is your daily
protection and support. The solidarity in our state is
your strength and carries your hopes to be recognised
as Workers. And the solidarity between the different
states in our country makes us a Movement that does
not give up before all domestic workers get dignity,
justice and a chance to be empowered.
A Day of hope that the day is coming where all
domestic workers can live with dignity and enjoy the
fruit of our labour.
A Day of togetherness and connectedness with
all domestic workers all over the world
I am united with you today and on all days. I
congratulate you for your struggle and perseverance.
Together we are strong. I wish each and all of you:
 a good dose of hope and trust in our struggle ,
 a strength to do your work well and support
each other.
 a care and love for your families and your work
and all what you are concerned about .
A happy and powerful Domestic Workers’ Day
JEANNE DEVOS, NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
In this Issue
 Highlights of Domestic Workers’ Day Celebration in different states
 Highlights of International Day of Hope for Children
 Consultation on Migration
 Minimum Wage Act for Domestic Workers in Andhra Pradesh
 Solidarity Walk in Goa
 AIDS awareness on World AIDS Day
 Trauma Training
 Inter state trafficking of girls for domestic work
 Overseas News
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Domestic Workers’ Day 2

Domestic Workers’ Day

A Show of Strength
Domestic Workers’ Day was celebrated in all regions of India on 9th January 2008. Domestic workers gathered together in
soildarity and strength to make society aware of their contribution towards the economy and welfare of the country. The
event received excellent media coverage in print, online and broadcast. Domestic workers felt empowered and encouraged
to state their demands, stand up for their rights and work towards achieving justice and dignity for their work.

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh

All the more celebrations were on as Andhra Pradesh received the final notification
of the Minimum Wage Act 1948 for Domestic Workers on 10th December 2007.
Domestic workers from different areas assembled for public rallies and meetings,
shouting slogans and performing songs and traditional dance. The Honorable Minister
Labour, Shri.G.Vinod, was invited as chief guest at Hyderabad. He especially
appreciated and thanked all domestic workers for the valuable services they give
to the twin cities. He encouraged them to continue to take on leadership; to come
forward and work for their welfare and approach the department for justice and
their rights. Celebrations were held at Kadapa and Vijayawada, Ilandu and Eluru.
Domestic workers in all these regions were given the news of the Minimum Wage
Act and the need to now work towards its implementation. In addition, domestic
workers were informed on how to work to receive welfare and security schemes
from the government.
Kerala
Kerala
Kerala
At Trivandrum, the programme included
a public rally followed by a function at
Priyadarshini Hall. Domestic workers
from Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kollam and
Bihar Trivandrum participated in the rally.
350 part-time and Mr. V. Sivankutty, Trivandrum (East)
full-time domestic MLA inaugurated the rally at 2 pm and
workers gathered promised all his co-operation to the
to celebrate the Domestic Workers’ domestic workers. The colourful rally
Day. Ms. Irina Sinha (Women’s showcased slogans, songs and
Development Commission) was the performances. At the function, Sr.
chief guest of the event. She Jeanne Devos congratulated all domestic
acknowledged the impact of this event workers for their hardworking services.
and remarked that this Day will give She urged the government to pass a
domestic workers recognition in society Minimum Wages Act for Domestic
and will encourage the government to Workers. Mr. Vera Kumar, district labour
listen to their demands and give officer, indicated that although domestic
domestic workers their rights. An appeal workers are not yet included in the labour
was made to the State government to law, the government is providing welfare
pass the Domestic Workers’ Bill and to domestic workers. This is a good sign
make the Bihar Domestic Workers’ and he assured the assistance from the
Welfare Trust a nodal agency. department.

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Domestic Workers’ Day
Maharashtra
Indore, Madhya Pradesh
800 domestic workers assembled in
St. Raphael’s School auditorium for the
celebration of Domestic Workers’ Day.
This event created a huge impact
amongst domestic workers as they
knew that they are a strong force to
reckon with when they come together
in large numbers united to achieve their
rights and justice. This was re-iterated
by both Ms. Uma Shashi Sharma, mayor
of Indore city and Ms. Meena
Choupekar, high court advocate, who
expressed the importance of women
being more confident and assertive for
their rights rather than being submissive
to the injustices meted out to them.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers’
Movement and the Arunodhaya
observed the Domestic Workers Day
with a Dignity Rally and demonstration.
This Day was a platform to help promote
the message of recognition, dignity,
justice and empowerment to all domestic
workers and to pressurise the
government to fix the Minimum Wage
Act for Domestic Workers. The Labour
Minister has assured that the Act will be
enforced. A memorandum has been
submitted to the Chief Minister, Labour
Minister and Labour Commissioner.
Maharashtra
A Dignity Yatra with almost 2000
domestic workers displayed the
enormous power and strength of
empowered women. Domestic workers
demanded from society recognition and
human rights. They appealed to the
government to establish the Minimum
Wage Act for Domestic Workers and to
set up a state welfare board to avail
social security schemes and provide
relief and rehabilitation to victimised
women. Mr. Kapil Patil, MLA,
highligthed how domestic work enables
quality of life for the employers and
hence the need to give justice to all
domestic workers. This event allowed
the government to take stock of the
situation and are now working towards
enforcing the Domestic Workers’ Bill in
the next Assembly session and the
allocation of funds for their social security
in the forthcoming budget session.
Tamil Nadu
3
Highlights of
Domestic
Workers’ Day
Meghalaya
Domestic Workers’ Day was observed
amidst a State bandh. About 1000
domestic workers participated in the
event. Mr. Ranjan Chatterjee, chief
secretary, was the main chief guest of
the function. In his message, he pointed
out that the State Government was
mooting a law to ensure protection of the
basic rights of domestic workers while
pointing out the necessity of having a
legalized basic minimum standard of
wages for them. He said the contribution
of domestic workers to the society
needed to be acknowledged and also
emphasized.
Orissa
This was the first year that Domestic
Workers’ Day was observed in the
State. Mr. Banamali, asst. labour officer,
expressed that since there are no laws
supporting domestic workers, it is
difficult to work for their rights. He
proposed that they should present their
demands to the Legislative Assembly
and encouraged them to form a union,
as unity amongst themselves will give a
louder voice for their rights. These
viewpoints motivated domestic workers
to stand in solidarity and draft a Bill for
the Assembly which will include social
security and minimum wage demands.
Uttar Pradesh
800 domestic workers took out a rally
that culminated into a big meeting. Here
they presented 12 demands to the district
magistrate. One of the magistrates
assured to listen to their demands and
take necessary steps.
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International Day of Hope 4

The International Day of Hope for Children

February 17th 2008, marked the third annual festival conducted by the Domestic
Workers’ Movement in all the regions. It is day when children of domestic
workers, street children and children from shelter homes are brought together
and given a chance to express their hopes, dreams and aspirations and entrust
it to their inner being with a commitment to achieve the same.

Bihar
Dream is all about life and it has written the lives of many of our leaders like
Mahatma Gandhi whose dream of freedom for our country was achieved.
We all dream for a New World— a world with security for our children as
we consider them the future of our country. There are thousands of children
who are deprived of their basic rights. They have the right to be loved.
These children too have dreams and hopes, but due to poverty, hunger and
labour they are not allowed to dream. Thus to bring these children together
on one platform, the Bihar Domestic Workers’ Welfare Trust (BDWWT)
organized the Day of Hope for all children at St. Joseph’s school campus.
This was the first time it was celebrated in Bihar. There were around
680 children: from slums, brick kilns, the centres and children who work in
factories, alongwith domestic workers. The program started at 10.30 am
with a silent rally from St. Joseph’s School ground to the Kargil Chowk at
Gandhi Maidan. The children were very enthusiastic and kept up the
discipline throughout the procession and the program.
Sr. Maggie, the state coordinator of BDWWT, welcomed the guests
and invited the children to simply enjoy this day. Arti, a child domestic worker,
was the confident and eloquent compere of the programme. She invited one
of the children to light the lamp as a symbol of hope for a bright future.
Domestic workers sang the welcome song. Sr. Leeza, FSM, threw light on
the importance of celebrating the Day of Hope for all children and explained
the origin of the GOLEM and how it came into existence today. Children
performed cultural programs like dances, jokes, songs, kavali, skits, action
songs, etc. The whole progamme was colourful with fun and creativity. At
the end of the cultural program, the chief guest appreciated the children. He
stressed on the fact that as elders we have the responsibility to help children
make their dreams come true. He also spoke about the rights of children
and emphasized on the importance of the education. Our special guests,
Patsy and Carla, from Belgium were thrilled to be with the children. After
the program children expressed their wishes, dreams, and desires through
paintings and put it in the heart of the Golem. Some expressed their desires
to become doctors, teachers, tailors, painters, police and military personnel.
And many others simply expressed their wish to have a better future.
Thereafter, lunch was served for all children and gifts were distributed to
them.
At the end of the day, joy was seen on the faces of children . It was a
remarkable day for all of them who had lots of fun and their smiles and
happiness made us pleased. Some of the children even asked us when we
will have such a programme again.
SR. MAGGIE, STATE CO-ORDINATOR, BDWWT

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International Day of Hope
Orissa
In Rourkela, 150 children participated in
the Day of Hope for Children at the Open
Ground near Ispat Vidya Mandir.
Fr. Nicholas Barla, State Co-ordinator
for Orissa explained what the
International Day of Hope for Children
was about. He pointed out that every
child has good qualities which are
sometimes hidden behind circumstances.
It is up to families, society and the
government to create an atmosphere for
their growth and development.
Mr. Banamali Mohapatra, assistant
labour officer Rourkela, and the chief
guest at the programme interacted with
the children and encouraged them to
participate in different games organised
at the event. Children enjoyed the day
singing, dancing and playing games. At
the event, Mr. Mohapatra spoke of child
rights and stressed on the importance of
education, personal hygiene and health.
He highlighted the responsibility of
children which included respecting
parents and teachers. Mr. Digambar
Mohanty, labour union leader, shared that
every child has the right to enjoy his/her
childhood. He said, “If child labour is
stopped then it means our government
has improved and this will constitute as
the pride of our nation.” Prizes were
distributed and lunch was served. The
children thoroughly enjoyed themelves
and felt more confident and secure about
their future as they
expressed and placed
before themselves today
their hopes and dreams
for the future.
MRS. GLORIA DUNG DUNG,
MISS MUKTA BAGE,
FR.NICHOLAS BARLA SVD.
A dream you dream alone
is only a dream, a dream
you dream together is a
reality
John Lennon
5
Andhra Pradesh
The International Day of Hope for Children,
organized by Andhra Pradesh Domestic
th
Welfare Trust was held on 16 February
2008 at St. Francis High School,
Secunderabad. This was a day our children
have always looked forward to. The
preparation started a month ago as teachers
began practicing the different cultural programmes with the children. It was during
this time when teachers discovered the inbuilt talents and energy of the children
which are essential for their personal development. In this process, children began
to grow in self-confidence and acquire a stronger self-image.
600 children from 16 slums, of ages between 5-13 years, gathered at St. Francis
High School. With colouring pencils in their tiny, tender hands, they drew pictures
of their interests, many of which spoke aloud. The pictures expressed their values,
needs and aspirations. This strongly tells us how important it is to promote child
participation. The principal of St. Francis High School greeted the children and
appreciated their work. Fr. Bosco S.J, admired the drawings and analyzed them.
He especially encouraged them to study well. Therafter, they joined the children
for lunch. After lunch, the children performed their cultural programmes. The
students from St. Francis School also got a chance to mingle with the slum children.
The children returned home with small gifts, snacks and happy memories.
NDWM, HYDERABAD.
Maharashtra
In a bid to provide a platform to dream,
the Day of Hope for the children was
th
celebrated on 24 February. More than
2000 children participated. They were
children of domestic workers, street
children and children from shelter homes.
At 9 am the children took out a rally
from Helen Garden to St. Blaise School
campus. Their banners spoke of their right to hope and dream.The day was an
opportunity for children to enjoy, participate in games and win prizes, to entertain
and to interact with other children. Sr. Jeanne Devos,
Fr. Felix and Revathi, a domestic worker leader were the
chief guests. Fr. Felix highlighted that every child is special
and stressed on the importance of hope and wished that all
children achieve their goals. In fact, two children expressed
their desires to become a teacher and a doctor, respectively,
and to provide free service to the poor and the needy.
There were 20 stalls with various games, film shows and
science exhibitions. Information leaflets were distributed on issues like anti-
superstitious beliefs, anti-tobacco, environment protection and vocational courses.
Stalls also displayed the drawings of the children. After lunch, children exhibited
their talents and skill in the form of dance, songs, street plays and jokes. Their
performance brought out the uniqueness of the rich culture of Maharastra, the
message of child rights, awareness on trafficking, importance of education, negative
consequence of tobacco, love for the country and patriotism.
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for the Empowerment of Domestic Workers
Consultancy on Migration and
Celebration of Migrants’ Day
A consultancy workshop at Trivandrum was organised by Migrant Forum
India on 19th December 2007, in celebration of International Migrants’ Day
Fr. Eugene Pereira, Coordinator of
Migrant Forum India, welcomed all
dignitaries and invitees at the
conference. He spoke about the present
status of Indian migration. He said, “India
is the country, which sends lot of
migrants to other countries. Now ILO
and other NGOs have come forward to
protect them.” Trivandrum MP, Mr.
Panniyan Ravindran, inaugurated the
programme. In his inaugural address, he
provided information about the present
status of migrants. He informed that one-
third Indians migrate to foreign lands, a
majority of whom are from Varkala at
Kerala. Most of these workers face a
lot of physical and psychological
problems, especially young girls and
women. These issues need to be taken
up in parliament. After the speech, he
presented his book ‘Pravasam
Ariyendathum Avakashangalum’ to
Ms. Annamma George, a migrant
worker. The book is a guide for migrants.
Aryanad MLA, Mr. G. Karthikeyan,
gave the presidential address about the
pathetic condition of migrated people,
especially Keralites.
Mr. Irudhaya Rajan, C D S Professor,
indicated that there is no current data for
migrant people. He pointed out that
through migration three groups of people
are affected. Firstly, the one million
married women from Kerala whose
husbands are abroad. They face lot of
psychological problems. Secondly, the
children, many of whom are staying with
their grandparents. These children tend
to be neglected and do not receive much
care. Thirdly, the parents of migrated
people. They have no one to care for
them. Hence they feel lonely and their
lives become miserable. He concluded his
keynote address with the importance of
the pre-departure training. Norka is one
institution that provides pre-departure
training to migrants. Norka Roots
manager, Mr. S. M. Najeeb, spoke about
the importance of safe migration and
institutions and welfare schemes for
migrants. Kerala Fisherman’s Federation
president, Mr. T. Peter who attended the
conference also pointed out the problems
of fishermen in migrated regions. He
indicated that they do not have good
insurance policies to protect their lives due
to the long periods they spend out at sea.
Some of the migrants present at the
conference shared their pathetic
conditions in the Arabian Gulf regions and
Mr. K. Suresh Babu, president of
INTUC, responded to their sharing.
Pravasi Lokam Kairali T V producer,
Mr. Rafeek Ravuthar, spoke about how
the media can respond to the issue. He
observed that the media tended to
highlight only the benefits received by
migrants and not the struggles they face.
He also indicated that nearly 30% of the
people benefitted, 70% of them suffer
yet many people still want to go abroad.
Ravuthar pointed out that Kairali TV is
now preparing a serial based on the life
of migrants. This session was followed
by a general discussion and clarification
of doubts.
Dr. Mary John, Director of
ADHVANA, moderated the session
about problems of migration and its
resolutions. She said, “We have to act
according to the resolutions we make.”.
The programme wound up with a
summation of the points and the need to
act upon the issue.
SR. SALLY MICHAEL, STATE CO-ORDINATOR
KERALA DOMESTIC WORKERS’ MOVEMENT
6
Minimum Wages Act for
Domestic Workers in
Andhra Pradesh is fixed
The final notification of the fixation of
minimum rates of wages in the
employment of ‘Domestic Workers’ in
the Part-I of the Schedule of Minimum
Wages Act, 1948 was passed on 10th
December 2007.
The category of employment includes:
cleaning of vessels/washing clothes/
sweeping and swabbing floor/baby
sitting/care of old or infirm persons/
kitchen shopping/taking children to
school and back/other households
chores. The duration of working hours
per day and basic wage, fixed on a
monthly basis, include:
1/2 hr ........................... Rs. 163
1 hr ........................... Rs. 325
1 1/2 hr ........................ Rs. 488
8 hrs ............................. Rs. 2600
Congratulations
Sr. Lissy has been
awarded the
Ninth Sadguru
Gnananada
National Award
2008 in
appreciation of
her outstanding
and pioneering effort in establishing
National Domestic Workers
Movement –Andhra Pradesh in 1998,
with a vision to train domestic
workers not to become victims of
any kind of exploitation at home, work
place and society. The award is
instituted by the Manava Seva
Dharma Samvardhani (MSDS),
under the category of Women in
Social Work. MSDS is a charitable
trust spearheading the ‘Celebration
of Woman Social Entrepreneurs/
Achievers during the last seven
years.
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for the Empowerment of Domestic Workers 7

Solidarity Walk
On 19th December, the schools of north and
central Goa took out a ‘Solidarity Walk’ in
support for the campaign against children in
domestic work and to implement every
child’s right to education.
The Members of the Young Christian Students Movement (YCS/YSM) cells
of Bardez, Ponda, Margao, Vasco and Tilamol also joined this campaign
alongwith the students, mangement and staff from these schools. The
participants were addressed by Mr. Cardoz the public prosecutor, Ms. Auda
Viegas, president of Bailancho Ekvott and Prof. Anita Haladi, member of the
Goa State Commission for Children. After the input session, the floor was
opened for a discussion on how students could get involved and contribute to
make a difference in the lives of child domestic workers. At the end of the
Solidarity Walk, the students of St. Xavier’s College put up a street play at
Don Bosco’s High School Panaji. They focused on the child’s right to education
and how employers can take an active roll in its implementation.
Prior to this event, active work had commenced from July in the various
schools. Students of Standards VII, IX, X and Higher Secondary were given
awareness of the issue. In the process, students identified children in domestic
work from their neighbourhood.
STEPHANIE D’SOUZA, GOA DOMESTIC WORKERS’ MOVEMENT

Advocacy Initiatives
Domestic Workers leaders from CCO
groups at Mumbai at a training
th
programme on the 19 February.
The leaders from CCO groups
have been trained in approaching
government officials to help pass
Domestic Workers Bill in
Maharashtra.
The training was
encouraging and enabled
domestic workers to meet
corporators and MLAs
personally many of whom have
agreed to co-operate and help
promote the Bill at the Assembly.
Domestic Workers give
awareness on HIV/AIDS
1st December is World AIDS Day. An awareness campaign on HIV /
AIDS was conducted by the domestic workers at Mumbai
278 domestic workers attended the programme. Awareness on the cause, symptoms,
consequences and preventive measures for HIV were highlighted during the programme.
Domestic workers were informed on the provisions provided by the government for
HIV victims and how important it is to show solidarity with the victims.
The leaders of domestics workers performed street plays on the issue to the
communities of Goregaon and Jogeshwari. They were trained by Mr. Ashish, the animator
of Maharastra Domestic Workers’ Movement. The street play started with a song
‘Dekho Re Dekho’ that grabbed the attention of the public. At the end of the play the
domestic workers distributed pamphlets, books, and brochures giving information on
HIV/AIDS.
Thereafter, the domestic workers staged a rally from Naneshwar Nagar Goregaon
(West) to Kama Estate, Goregaon (East), with posters, slogans, banners and awareness
material. The same play was enacted at the destination point once again.
The awareness programme was an important platform to communicate the message
to the public. It enabled domestic workers to understand and analyse the impact of HIV
as they are one of the most affected people in the communities and to invite the
communities to rise above the stigma of HIV.

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Trauma Training 8

Trauma Training Programme

A two-day Trauma Training Programme was conducted at Hyderabad on
the 12th and 13th February in collaboration with the Confidential Crisis
Intervention Center for Child Abuse & Neglect, Leuven (Belgium).
This Trauma Training programme was the third in a series of sessions on
trauma training initiated by Sr. Jeanne and Professor Peter Adriaenssens of
the Confidential Crisis Intervention Center for Child Abuse & Neglect, Leuven
Belgium.
The trainers at the programme were Prof. Peter Adriaenssens and
Ms. Liesbet Smeyers, staff members of the Confidential Crisis Intervention
Center for Child Abuse and Neglect at the Catholic University of Leuven in
Belgium. This center is a non-profit organization, formed in 1987. The mission
is to organize a call centre for child abuse and neglect, to analyse suspicions,
assess children and adolescents, intervene in families where physical, emotional
or sexual abuse occur, coordinate interventions, start initial therapy, and
cooperate with the court if necessary.
The sessions provided the participants a philosophy and method for working
with families where child abuse and traumatic events occur. This was
highlighted bringing to fore the understanding of child abuse, trauma situation
and its impact. Both animators gave basic information about the biological
effect of trauma and symptoms as adaptations to traumatic events. The
programme offered a trauma framework, which include the start of a child
help and protection program, management of ongoing traumatic experiences,
identifying the perpetrators and learning to provide stabilization therapy for
survivors. Participants were given inputs on how to talk with children and
adolescents of what happens in the family and of traumatic experiences outside
the family. They learned how to assess victimised children and prepare
themselves for their (the children’s) obvious defence of the situation. Further,
they understood the importance on how working as a team would help them
work better to handle the traumatic events. The programme brought about a
framework that would help empower victims, the family system and those
who want to help them.

The initiative of this programme

In 2004, Sr. Jeanne Devos asked Prof. Peter Adriaenssens to visit the
Movement and to give his support. The aim was to empower the volunteers
and professionals who defend the rights of children in the Movement and
to strengthen the quality of help for traumatized children and mothers. The
result was a first try-out of a training program in Patna and Bangalore.
Later, the co-ordinators of the NDWM where invited to the University of
Leuven to participate to an international conference on child abuse and
neglect and to discuss trauma assessment and recovery with the staff
members of the Crisis Center. Today, these staff members participate in
the ongoing trauma training program. Meanwhile, the Catholic University
of Leuven initiated a ‘Sister Jeanne Devos Foundation for Children’s
Rights’, to collect funds for the NDWM. A first result is a house in
Bangalore, established to give traumatized children a safe and secure place.

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Anti-trafficking 9

Inter-state Trafficking of Girls for Domestic Work

Fr. Desmond de Souza CSSR, State Co-ordinator, Goa Domestic Workers’ Movement,
highlights the phenomena of trafficking girls for domestic work in Goa.
Two aspects of trafficking in domestic
work needs to be highlighted:
(i) deception (ii) coercion.
So in Goa, trafficking is a certain hideous
type of exploitation, practiced either
by deliberate cheating or ruthless, even
violent coercion, which leaves the victim
with no other alternative but to submit to
its brutality.
Trafficking in women and children
in Goa, like the rest of India and the
world, is practiced in many more areas
than sexual exploitation of women and
children. It is fairly widespread in
domestic work. Only an alert and aware
society can discover its hideous forms
in hitherto unknown areas of forced labor
involving women and children.
The Goa connection with Berhampur
The diocese of Berhampur comprises the
civil districts of Ganjam, Gajapati,
Koraput, Nuapoda, Rayagada,
Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Kalahandi.
According to Parshuram Ray of the
New Delhi based Centre for
Environment and Food Security, over 500
hunger deaths have occurred in
Rayagada, Kalahandi and Koraput
regions of south-western Orissa over the
past few months because the
government adopts a lopsided policy of
development. So the districts around
Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar and Berhampur,
Samballpur, Rourkhela in the north and
east develop at the expense of the south-
west districts.
For quite some time, but more
especially this year 2007, a number of
cases of trafficking in young girls for
domestic work from Gajapati district has
surfaced in Goa. The Goa unit of the
National Domestic Workers’ Movement
have been involved in freeing under-aged
girls, from Orissa, from domestic work
in Goan houses. The Children’s Remand
Home in Goa named Apna Ghar has at
least five girls from Gajapati district,
released from families in Goa by the
police, in accordance to the Goa
Children’s Act that prohibits children
under 18 years old to work. There is
evidently a flourishing trade of trafficking
of girls from Gajapati district to Goa.
So I took a trip to Gajapati (Jan 18-
25, 2008) to discover the causes of the
girls from this district being vulnerable
to trafficking in Goa. Some interesting
causes surfaced. The girls between 14-
16 drop out of school and are married
off immediately in the village. By the time
they are 25 they have three or four
children. Usually their husbands are
drunkards or dead. People from the
villages themselves, promise the girls jobs
and then make money on them in Goa.
They place them in a house and charge
the employer Rs 2000. Then in three
months the girls are taken out and put in
another house and the same process
goes on. The parents of the girls get very
little money and the girls get practically
nothing.
A concerted action plan is needed
to adequately respond to this social
problem. The diocese of Berhampur has
chalked out a preliminary stage of action,
while a baseline sample survey of how
many girls have left the villages in
Gajapati district alone is conducted.
Firstly, all the village hostels should
hold the girls in school or in hostels till
they are 18 years and not allow them to
be exploited by traffickers. Many of
these girls are Dalit Christians. Secondly,
the traffickers, who are locals must be
identified and prosecuted in Orissa.
Thirdly, when the girls are 15-17 year
olds and most often school drop-outs,
they must be kept to work in Orissa and
their domestic work skills prof-
essionalized there. Otherwise their
inadequate skills and the culture shock
of coming from their village to Goa,
makes them most vulnerable to physical,
sexual abuse and exploitation in Goa,
since they cannot communicate with
anyone, even in Hindi.
Could this be the beginning of a
sending diocese to receiving diocese
networking against trafficking in women
and children? This has become an
opportunity for the CRI of the two
dioceses to take the leadership role.

The UN Commission on Human Rights estimates that human trafficking is the third biggest crime in the world, rivaling the
illicit sale of drugs and arms
Migration and Trafficking are different
Macro development policies in fact often leave women in debt and unemployed. They migrate in order to live and to help
their families/communities. Efforts to tackle trafficking must not overlook the desire of women to migrate in order to
improve their own lives and those of their families and children.
While those who migrate to meet economic needs and those smuggled or trafficked have many vulnerabilities in common,
there are important differences between migration and human trafficking. Migration is basically voluntary, while trafficking
is forced. The link between migration, human rights and trafficking has gradually been discovered, and broader forms of
trafficking have been recognized and analyzed (debt bondage, slavery, sexual or labor exploitation.)

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M10B10

Overseas News 10

Lankan maids in Dubai to Activists protest execution of

get a pay hike from January Indonesian maid in Saudi Arabia
Sri Lankan housemaids in the UAE will have to be paid
a minimum salary of Dh825 per month from January 1,
2008. Officials from the Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai
yesterday told Khaleej Times that the Sri Lankan
missions have notified recruiting agents of the revised
minimum wages.
The Sri Lankan Government has revised the
minimum wages of housemaids in the entire Gulf. While
Dh825 has been set for the UAE, the wages in other
countries in the Middle East have been set according to
their respective per capita income. This decision comes
in the wake of the visit by Foreign Employment
Promotion and Welfare Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella,
to Dubai in October, when he told reporters that the
Government was considering increasing the wages.
Senanayake clarified that agents are permitted to bring
housemaids for Dh600 till January 31 on contracts which
have already been approved by the Consulate and the
Embassy. According to procedures, the missions first
approve the contract drawn up by the agent, after which
the housemaid is brought from Sri Lanka to the UAE.
He also noted that any contract renewed after
January 1 will be considered as a new one and the
employer would have to pay the revised wage.
KHALEEJ TIMES, 26 DECEMBER 2007
Activists of the non-governmental organization, Migrant Care,
demonstrated outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy here on Monday
in protest against the execution of Indonesian maid Yanti Irianti (35)
in Saudi Arabia. “Migrant Care condemns the execution and urges
the Indonesian government to question the death sentence and the
legal discrimination against the Indonesian domestic helper in Saudi
Arabia,” executive director of Migrant Care, Anis Hidayah said.
Anis said that the Indonesian government could raise the case
at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where Indonesia and
Saudi Arabia were members. “Besides, the Indonesian government
should also send a diplomatic note of protest to the Saudi government,
recall its ambassador from Saudi Arabia and send the Saudi
ambassador back to his country as a protest againt Yanti’s execution,”
Anis said. The rally began at 10 a.m. and was joined by Yanti‘s
family members and legislator Jacobus Kamarlo Mayong Padang
of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction.
They carried banners which read: ‘Stop Killing Indonesian Migrant
Workers,’ and ‘Execution of the Indonesian Worker is a Violation
of Human Rights.’
Yanti Irianti was executed by a firing squad on Friday, January
11, after the Saudi court found her guilty of murdering her employer.
Official reports in Saudi Arabia said that Yanti murdered her
employer in order to steal her jewellery.
EXTRACT FROM JAKARTA (ANTARA NEWS), 15 JANUARY 2008

276 foreign maids not paid salaries in 2007

A foreign domestic maid in Singapore was not paid since she started work with her employer more than seven years ago. In
all, she was owed salary arrears amounting to $19,398, which was eventually paid to her after intervention by the Ministry of
Manpower (MOM). She was one of 276 foreign maids who were not paid by their employers last year. The ministry managed
to recover more than $270,000 in unpaid salaries for these maids and convicted three employers for committing the offence.
The latest employer to be convicted was Zubaidah Bte Sanluan, who was fined $4,500 in Court on 11th February for
failing to pay the salary of her domestic help, and for making a false declaration to the Controller of Work Permits. Zubaidah
will also be barred from employing another maid. Investigations by MOM, in April 2007, revealed that Zubaidah’s maid had
not been paid her monthly salary since she started work in January 2001. Zubaidah also falsely declared that she had paid her
salary when renewing her Work Permit in January 2007. MOM intervened and collected $19,398 in salary arrears for the
maid.
Mr. Aw Kum Cheong, Divisional Director, of Foreign Manpower Management Division, at MOM, said: “All employers of
foreign workers, including FDWs are required under the Work Permit conditions to pay salaries to their workers on time. We
would also like to remind employers that they should not withhold the salaries of their workers on the pretext of safekeeping
their salaries. The Ministry will prosecute errant employers.”
MOM says it is an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) for employers not to pay their
FDWs within seven days of their salary period. If found guilty, the employer can be fined up to $5,000, or jailed up to six
months, or both. Errant employers will also be barred from employing another FDW. The Ministry urges FDWs who are not
paid their salaries to seek assistance early by contacting its hotline at 1800 339 5505.
THE STRAITS TIMES, 18 FEBRUARY 2008

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M11B11

Overseas News 11

Hunger Strike & the Withdrawal of the Anti Migrant Policy

Sunday, 17 February 2008, in the face Office in Leighton Road, Causeway Bay 3. When changing their employment
of a mass action by migrant domestic starting on Saturday, 16 February 2008. agency for contract renewal, it is
workers who held a two day hunger Finally, for the second time, the not necessary anymore to get an
strike, finally the Indonesian Consul consulate requested that the migrant’s endorsement letter from the old
General in Hong Kong, Mr. Ferry leaders join them in a dialogue, that employment agency.
Adamhar, announced the withdrawal of Sunday, while the other migrants “This is the result of our
his policy No. 2258/IA/XII/2008. This continued with their hunger strike. togetherness and unity in fighting for
policy required all Indonesian migrant Coming out from the dialogue, this was the rights of migrants, this small victory
workers to get permission from both their the first ever in history that the consul will become our strength to continue
agency and the Consulate before they general was willing to meet the migrants fight for our rights” expressed
could change their employment agency during the mass demonstration and then Ms. Wulan, chairperson of Kotkiho, in
leading to the continued extortion of personally announced the new policy to responding to the victory that they have
migrant workers through the seven replace the SE 2258 policy. gained last Sunday.
months wage deduction. There are several important points However, KOTKIHO and IMWU
The announcement from the consul that Mr. Adamhar announced publicly in feel that this small victory will become
general was made only after a month front of the mobilized migrant workers their spirit to continue the long struggle
long campaign by the Hong Kong and hunger strike, as follow: ahead to fight for the justice and equality
Coalition of Indonesian Migrant Workers 1. The employment agency has to for all migrants’ workers.
Organization (KOTKIHO) and the provide “a guarantee letter” to the ‘Migrants Rights are Human
Indonesian Migrants Workers Union Consul General stating that they will Rights! Domestic Work is Work, not
(IMWU). Since the first week of not charge more than 10% of the slavery!’
January, nearly almost every Sunday, migrants’ first month salary as a HONG KONG, 19 FEBRUARY 2008
these two migrants domestic workers payment for processing the contract MR. WULAN MAWARSIH, CHAIRPERSON OF KOTKIHO
organization and union have been renewal of Indonesian migrants in ROSEMI, CHAIRPERSON OF IMWU
working very hard to organize mass Hong Kong. [IMWU and KOTKIHO are members
actions and public awareness programs 2. For those migrants who want to of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), Asian
in order to widen support to push for the change their employment agency to Domestic Workers’ Alliance (ADWA)
withdrawal of the SE 2258 policy, until process their contract renewal it will and the Coalition for Migrants Rights
finally they decided to conduct a hunger not be necessary to report to the (CMR).
strike in front of the Indonesian Consulate Consulate.
“The withdrawal of the SE No.
Gulf Forum on Temporary Contractual Labour 2258 is just a small victory for
On 21-22 January 2008, the Ministerial Consultation on Overseas Employment the Indonesian migrants
And Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin and Destination in Asia was domestic workers in Hong
held in Abu Dhabi. This Ministerial meeting was the first meeting to be hosted by a Kong, we will continue to
receiving country, aimed to highlight the potential of contractual labour to benefit organize, unionize and
overseas workers as well as the development of countries of origin and destination mobilize our self for bigger
in Asia. Held back to back with the Ministerial meeting was the Forum on victory to combat other anti
Contractual Labor in GCC Countries: Opportunities and Challenges which migrant policies such as
was organized by the UAE Ministry of Labor and the Council of Ministers of
Excessive Placement Fees
Labor and Social Affairs in GCC States, in collaboration with the IOM, ILO Sub-
Regional Office for Arab States and the Arab Labor Organization on 23-24 January.
by the Indonesian
The Forum acknowledged the sovereign right of states to develop their own Government and the Two
labour and migration policies and recognized the need to adopt coherent and Week Rule Policy of the Hong
comprehensive policies to effectively manage temporary contractual labour and Kong Government”
protect workers. Furthermore it was recognized that special attention should be STATED BY ROSEMI, THE CHAIRPERSON OF
given to the critical issues faced by foreign workers, and extending protection to all INDONESIAN MIGRANT WORKERS UNION
workers in all phases of the employment cycle. (IMWU)

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M12B12

For Correspondence: The Editor, National Domestic Workers’ Movement 104, St. Mary’s Apts A wing, Nesbit Rd., Mazgaon, Mumbai - 400 010. Email: sandravaz@hotmail.com
Solidarity

Published by : National Domestic Workers’ Movement • For Private Circulation Only • Printed at Jenaz Printers, Mumbai.
Solidarity means together we stand
Always ready to lend you a hand
If you’re in distress we’re there for you
It is Life’s own law, it’s not something new
Hurricane or flood, earthquake or drought
Or the problems that people’s own hands
may have wrought
Solidarity means not just grieving for you
It’s doing what we can to give help to you
It could be us tomorrow, if it’s you today
For troubles can come anybody’s way
Blessed are those who remember this fact
And live their lives according to that
Black, white, brown, yellow, colors of life
Diversity is what really gives our lives spice
BOOK-POST

Yet, despite being different, we’re all the same

Just look at the color that runs through our veins
Our hearts, our bodies, all of us feel pain
And to cry for others is to be humane
Compassion, this feeling - it runs so deep
If one part hurts, the whole body can’t sleep
Helping each other gives meaning to life
It’s the kind of goal for which we should strive
Because Life’s about more than just me and you
Let’s put in our best, there’s so much we can do
Solidarity means strength, it should be our aim
Without it humanity would be put to shame
To,

So let’s join hands, there’s work for everyone

There’s no better way of getting things done.
DR.FARHAT HASHMI
The We
a
iona re On
Nat
Mo l Do lin
ww veme mestic e!
w.n nt w Wo
dw
m.o ebsite rkers’
rg

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