Last week, over 65 Cambodian and International NGOs and trade unions took unified action to encourage the Cambodian & Malaysia governments to protect the rights of domestic workers. Chab Dai Coalition is an active member of the Cambodian Working Group from Domestic Workers (CWGDW), and endorsed this Call to Action.
You can take action too! The CWGDW is encouraging advocates around the world to show their support for this Call to Action by visiting CWGDW's Facebook Page - click "Like" and "Share" to show your endorsement, and advocate within your networks.
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PRESS RELEASE: 29 February 2012, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The Cambodian Working Group for Domestic Workers (CWGDW) today issued a “Call to Action” that has been endorsed by 65 Cambodian and International NGOs and trade unions. Together they are calling on the Cambodian and Malaysian governments to take specific measures to protect and ensure the rights of all domestic workers.
Background: Cambodia’s Ban on Domestic Workers to Malaysia is an Opportunity to Protect the Rights of Migrants
On October 15, 2011, the Prime Minister of Cambodia announced a ban on the recruitment, training and sending of domestic workers to Malaysia. In an effort to lift the ban, the Malaysian government has expressed eagerness to propose a bilateral agreement in the coming weeks that will govern the rights and entitlements of Cambodian domestic workers working in Malaysia. The CWGDW, in conjunction with 65 NGOs and trade unions, see the time leading up to the signing of this agreement as a rich opportunity for both governments to make necessary changes to facilitate positive migration experiences during the recruitment, employment, and repatriation stages, and prevent further abuses and exploitation of domestic workers.
The CWGDW
The CWGDW was founded in November 2011 and is a network of civil society stakeholders. The purpose of this action-based forum is to collaborate and unite advocacy efforts and resources to respond to issues affecting domestic workers, and to encourage the Royal Government of Cambodia to ratify the new ILO Convention 189 concerning decent work for domestic workers. Within the last three months, the group has already gained support from domestic and international NGOs and trade unions, and will continue to focus on protecting the rights of domestic workers.
The Call for Action
The Call for Action urges the governments of Cambodia & Malaysia to take the following actions:
1. Sign a bilateral agreement that ensures the protection of rights enshrined in ILO C189.
2. Adopt and enforce mandatory standardized employment and job placement services contracts that adhere to the standards established in ILO C189.
3. Ensure that the regulation of private recruitment agencies meets the standards in ILO C189.
4. Ratify ILO C189 and bring national laws and enforcement into alignment, including covering domestic workers under national labor laws.
5. Establish effective monitoring mechanisms for greater accountability and transparency in recruitment, placement, and employment of domestic workers.
6. Ensure effective access to redress, legal remedies and grievance procedures in Cambodia and Malaysia for victims of rights violations and abuse.
7. Improve screening to identify victims of abuse and survivors of trafficking, and provide them with legal aid, shelter, counseling, and repatriation and reintegration services, as needed.
8. Ensure protection and support for domestic workers already working in Malaysia at the time of the issuance of the ban.
9. Work through regional mechanisms to strengthen the ASEAN Declaration on Migrant Workers and the ASEAN Plan of Action through the promotion of minimum standards for domestic workers.
10. Recognize the special needs and vulnerabilities of female and male migrants and tailor systems to respond.
11. Ensure extensive consultation with civil society organizations working on domestic workers, migration and trafficking to implement the above.
For more information contact: Mr. Mom Sokchar, Media Contact - sokchar_mom@lscw.org or (+855) 12 943 767
