Over the last year, EFFAT has started to build a sectoral structure for domestic workers to ensure the European representation of the sector through trade union engagement, and a solid and comprehensive political commitment.
On the occasion of today’s 2nd Sectoral General Assembly, the EFFAT Domestic Work Sector further consolidated its position as an institutionalised platform at European level by electing its sector leadership.
- Wendy Galarza, FILCAMS-CGIL Italy, was confirmed as Chair of the EFFAT Domestic Work Sector
- Marissa Begonia, UNITE/Voice of Domestic Workers UK, and Malu Villanueva, FNV Migrant Domestic Workers Netherlands, were confirmed as Vice-Chairs of the EFFAT Domestic Work Sector
At the General Assembly, Kristjan Bragason, EFFAT General Secretary, introduced Grace Papa as the newly appointed EFFAT Political Secretary in charge of the Domestic Work Sector. Currently serving as Regional Secretary at the Belgian trade union ACV-CSC Food and Services in charge of domestic workers, Grace will coordinate the activities of the EFFAT Domestic Work Sector at European level from the EFFAT offices in Brussels. She will be fully operational as of September 2021.
The General Assembly had the opportunity to exchange on the state of play of the impact of COVID -19 on domestic workers in various national realities and discussed domestic workers related on-going projects*. The assembly identified future EFFAT activities in the domestic work sector and the priorities of the new work programme for 2022-2023. Particular focus will be placed on working for the rights of migrant domestic workers who, while representing a vast proportion of the workforce in Europe, do not enjoy equal working conditions and have been especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Assembly was an occasion to further call for the global ratification of the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.
EFFAT will continue mapping the organisation of domestic workers in Europe and invites all affiliates having domestic workers amongst their members to fill in this online survey.
