Migrant domestic workers in Thailand have joined a regional campaign, United for Foreign Domestic Workers Rights, to call for a policy protecting their labour rights and guarantee all domestic workers one day paid leave a week. They  are asking people to show their support for domestic workers by signing and posting this postcard. All the signed post cards will be presented to the Thai  Ministry of Labour on August 28th, the  International Day of Solidarity with Domestic Workers.

           Over 200,000 migrant women work as domestic workers in Thailand. They come from Burma, Cambodia and Lao to work in the private households of families in Thailand.  Many domestic workers do not get paid days off work, some do not even get days off! Many domestic workers do not get paid minimum wage, some do not even get paid anything!

           The work of domestic workers is not seen as work. It is seen as the duty of women in the home even though without their work, many households in Thailand would be unable to function.  Domestic workers are not seen as workers but as servants or part of the family.  And so, domestic workers are not protected by the Labour laws; they are not officially entitled to the minimum wage guaranteed to all other workers. There is currently no standard employment contract for domestic workers. Thus, the working and living conditions and scope of work for migrant domestic workers is dependent on each employer. Domestic workers do not have equal rights to other workers.

           Migrant domestic workers want this to change. They want rights and they want to be recognized as workers. They request the Ministry of Labour to make a policy guaranteeing one day paid leave a week for all domestic workers as the first step to domestic work being recognized as work. Every signature on the post card is a one step closer to women having equal rights as workers, and domestic work being recognized as valued and important work.

READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC WORKERS!

IF YOU SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN, PLEASE Email us at
Domesticworkercampaign@gmail.com

To Ask for the postcards
Or
to Send an email of support

Sample text:
I support domestic workers calls for recognition as workers and for one day paid leave a week
Title, name (and organization if appropriate, contact details if possible)

For more information please contact:

Pim (Thai, Tai Yai) 0869219139
MaiMai (Burmese) 0856159653
Batz: (English, Thai): 0815956123

www.mapfoundationcm.org