Coalition fails domestic workers

The UK government has declined to join other countries in taking action to stop exploitation of domestic workers.

On 16 June the International Labour Organisation (ILO) held a vote on its new convention outlawing exploitation of domestic workers such as nannies, maids and cooks. In all, 396 countries (including the United States) voted for it, 16 countries voted against and 63 abstained, including the UK).

A government spokesman said: “We do not consider it appropriate or practical to extend criminal health and safety law, including inspections, to private households employing domestic workers.”

Diana Holland, assistant general secretary of the Unite general union, said: “Domestic workers are excluded from basic working rights and face the real threat of abuse such as insults, threats, alongside physical and even sexual abuse.”