Edward Davey MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs)
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

13 May 2011

Dear Edward,
I am writing to you regarding plans for a new International Labour Organisation Convention on Domestic Work, scheduled for adoption at the June 2011 International Labour Conference.
An effective Convention on Domestic Work is vital to the protection of domestic workers around the world. Domestic workers all too often face abuse including forced labour, slavery and excessively long hours. A lack of regulation and legal protection means that poor working conditions are the norm.
In 2010 the International Labour Conference voted in favour of a binding Convention on Domestic Work that would seek to protect such workers. Despite this, I understand the UK has reservations and has not yet lent its support. Moreover, it has argued that legal exemptions apply in relation to the labour rights of domestic workers, including in relation to working time, occupational health and safety, and the need to regulate employment agencies. It is my view that there is nothing in the Convention which contradicts current national law - albeit that the latter could be strengthened.
This June is the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation and I hope you will join me in pledging continued support for labour rights - and in particular by giving Government backing to the Convention on Domestic Work.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion

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