Manual for Domestic Workers: Organizing a Better - Inclusive Cities

Providing services
Although the union or DWO should not be organised as a service center, sometimes it is
necessary to provide some services. This is because most DW come from poor rural areas
and/or do not have sufficient assistance in obtaining legal, medical assistance or finding work
or even a place to stay.
1. Legal assistance/counselling
Many domestic workers face abuse, are charged with theft or even murder. Much of
the work involves counseling the workers through the legal process. Having links with
Legal Aid Centres is important as they provide services which the union or DWO may
not be able to handle. This is also helpful in building networks. If there is none, get help
of lawyers who are willing to assist.
2. Savings and loan schemes
Most of the domestic workers are poor and are forced to enter this line of work due to
poverty. They are in need of money to make ends meet or pay off debts accumulated
by their family members. Savings and loan schemes go a long way in assisting the
domestic worker. In Indonesia they have a scheme called arisan where each person in
the group pays a Rp10,000 (US$1.11) every month. They then elect who would get the
money collected from the group, for the month or week depending on the decisions
of the group. If someone wishes for a loan, the money is given at 5% interest which is
not tabulated yearly. The savings/loan scheme has helped Indonesian DWO in gaining
support among the workers.
3. Providing help in finding work for the workers
Having a wide network of contacts enable DWOs and unions to assist in this aspect. It is
beneficial to both the members and the union or DWO if the member is always employed
because they will have the means to participate in its activities and to pay membership dues.
This could be a fund raising activity for the union or DWO where they can charge a reasonable
fee to assist the domestic worker to find reliable employment. The Hong Kong Domestic
Workers General Union (HKDWGU) finds lucrative work for its union members during the
Chinese New Year. (See Box)
Chinese New Year Clean-up Action
Every Chinese New Year, the HKDWGU organizes the Chinese New Year-end Cleaning
Co-op Action’ because many employers need to find help for cleaning before the
Chinese New Year. The Union organizes members for skills training and various
promotional work. The wage for this one-time clean-up is HK$75 per hour. The union
has been doing this action for 6 years and has been very successful in finding jobs
for members. The union has stood firm on this wage and has been successful in
recruiting new members and encouraging members to pay the union dues.
(Proceedings of the Domestic Workers Organizing Strategy Workshop held between
25 and 31 March 2007, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
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