Migrant Domestic Workers

Domestic Work is Work!! Respect the rights, status and dignity of domestic workers!!!

MFA together with the Asian Migrant Centre (AMC), Coalition for Migrants Rights (CMR) and the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) in cooperation with the Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI) organized the Second Asian Domestic Workers Assembly (ADWA) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 2^nd ADWA was a follow of the first Asian Migrant Domestic Workers Assembly held in Manila Philippines, on 16-17 June 2007.  The 2007 assembly in Manila paved the way for the creation of the Asian Domestic Workers Alliance (ADWA), a joint Asian regional platform to promote the rights, welfare and empowerment of migrant domestic workers (MDWs). This 2^nd Assembly aims to collectively discuss and finalize the formation of the ADWA Steering Committee; to finalize and adopt a Strategic Action Plan of ADWA; also to analyze gains/successes, gaps/needs, challenges, opportunities and difficulties/obstacles to organizing work, advocacy and empowerment of MDWs.

MFA recognizes the important role of women and their work within the larger framework of migration and development.  We will be bringing together key domestic workers and migrants group across Asia to discuss and strategize on advocacy priorities.  This process is particularly important, as domestic work is currently not recognized as real work in many countries around the world. This coordinated effort on self-representation will join up to a larger process during the GFMD in Manila Philippines in October 2008.

The 2^nd Assembly maximized the presence of MDWs’ organization, trade unions, associations, leaders and NGOs, and hold a number of activities during the 2^nd ADWA:

PROGRAM

2nd ADWA STATEMENT

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