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DOMESTIC WORKERS HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL

JOIN US ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 11:30 - 3:00 PM

For generations, domestic workers in the U.S. have lived the legacy of slavery- women of color whose work is isolated, invisible, lacking set hours or clear job responsibilities yet consistently long hours for low wages, while commonly facing discrimination, harassment and unjust firings. Now a growing workforce of immigrant women of color escaping poverty created by U.S.-driven neoliberal policies abroad, domestic workers working within the U.S. borders remain systematically excluded from some of the most basic labor rights such as protection from unjust firing and discrimination. And, after working long hours in their employers' homes, they raise and care for their own families.

Come hear the testimonies of the nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers whose labor provides the backbone for the NY economy. Support their call for a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in NY State, including a livable wage, notice of termination, severance pay, paid vacation and sick days, health care and protection from discrimination and unjust firing. Their call is one of many voices in a growing international movement of domestic workers for respect, dignity and justice.

Sponsored by Domestic Workers United and Global Rights

Domestic Workers United is an organization nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers from the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa working to build power, raise the level of respect for domestic work, establish fair labor standards and help build a movement to end exploitation once and for all. DWU works in close partnership with Andolan Organizing South Asian Workers, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Unity Housecleaners and Women Workers Project of CAAAV to collectively build the domestic workers movement in New York.

Co-sponsored by:
Andolan Organizing South Asian Workers
Damayan Migrant Workers Association
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
Women Workers Project of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities,
Unity Housecleaners

Testimony will be given by domestic workers about the human rights abuses they have faced in New York state.

Tribunal members include:

• Deborah Baumgarten, Assistant Attorney General

• Doudou Diene, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Racism

• Jaribu Hill, Mississippi Workers Center for Human Rights

• Lennox Hinds, Professor, Rutgers University

• Lenora Lapidus, Women's Rights Project at the ACLU

• Ida LeBlanc, National Union of Domestic Employees, Trinidad

• Mary Beth Maxwell, American Rights at Work

• Gay McDougall, Global Rights, U.N. Independent Expert on the Rights of Minorities

• Cathy Tactaquin, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

• Mia White, Ms. Foundation

NEW LOCATION!

Cooper Union Great Hall @ the corner of 7th Street and 3rd Avenue

Take the 6 train to Astor Place, or the R or W trains to 8th Street

- Childcare and translation available
- Lunch provided
- Free and open to the public

For more information, please call (718) 220-7391 x 11 or 23

To Volunteer, please email claracol@riseup.net
To assist with translation in Spanish, Portuguese, Bengali, Hindi, Creole, Bahasa or French, please email pyg@igc.org

Starts	10/07/2005
Ends	10/09/2005
Issues	Economic Justice, Gender/Women, Human Rights, Immigration, Economic Development, Poverty, Equal Opportunities, Migrant Workers
Homepage	www.caaav.org
Contact	claracol@riseup.net