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	Countries adopt new UN standards to improve conditions for domestic workers by UN News & agencies   June 2011   Government representatives and delegates representing worker and employer organisations attending a United Nations conference have adopted a set of international standards aimed at improving the working conditions of millions of domestic workers worldwide.   The new Convention on Domestic Workers adopted at the annual conference of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva states that workers around the world who care for families and households must have the same basic labour rights as those available to other employees.   It calls for reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit on in-kind payment, clear information on terms and conditions of employment, as well as respect of the rights associated with employment, including the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.   “We are moving the standards system of the ILO into the informal economy for the first time and this is a breakthrough of great significance,” said Juan Somavia, the ILO Director-General.   Recent ILO estimates based on national surveys or census in 117 countries place the number of domestic workers at a minimum of 53 million, but experts say they could be as many as 100 million across the world.   In developing countries, they make up at least 4 to 12 per cent of those in wage employment. Around 83 per cent of domestic workers are women or girls. Many are migrant workers.   “Bringing the domestic workers into the fold of our values is a strong move, for them and for all workers who aspire to decent work, but it also has strong implications for migration and of course for gender equality,” said Mr. Somavia.   Manuela Tomei, the Director of the ILO’s Conditions of Work and Employment Programme, said “domestic workers are neither servants nor ‘members of the family.’ After today they can no longer be considered second-class workers.” Visit the related web page
	Business & Children Rights Online Portal by Ulf Karlberg Business and Human Rights Resource Centre   June 2011   The non-profit Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has launched an online portal on “Business & Children”.   The portal provides up-to-date information on the many ways that companies impact children’s rights.   Issues covered range from child labour to workplace parental leave; from sexual exploitation to education. Each topic includes a concise introduction followed by examples of positive initiatives companies are taking, allegations of abuses, and company responses.   The portal was launched at the June 2011 United Nations Human Rights Council meeting.   Ulf Karlberg, Co-Chair of trustees of the Resource Centre, said: “Approximately one third of the world’s people are children. No company can ignore its impact on this vulnerable sector of the population. The new portal brings news and reports on how companies are affecting children to an influential, global audience – helping people to make decisions that are in children’s best interest.”   Features of the portal include:   Issues: Brief introductions to subjects such as child labour, dangerous products, education, forced labour, pollution damaging health, pregnancy discrimination, sexual exploitation and trafficking, followed by links to relevant news and reports.   International standards relating to children’s rights and business; Positive initiatives; Alleged abuses; Lawsuits against companies; Practical guidance.   The portal also provides a prominent platform for the Children’s Rights & Business Principles Initiative.   This joint initiative by UNICEF, UN Global Compact and Save the Children aims to develop a set of principles offering concrete guidance on what business can do to respect and support children’s rights. The draft principles are open for public comment until 15 July 2011.   All the information on the portal is accessible free of charge. It comes from a broad range of sources, and reflects the excellent work being done on this subject by children’s rights organizations at the local, national and international levels.   The content is currently predominantly in English, with some items in Spanish and French. More material will be added on a regular basis – and the non-English language content expanded.   The Resource Centre encourages people of all ages and in all regions to send us suggested additions. Our researchers based in Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Senegal, South Africa and Ukraine will be in close touch with children’s rights advocates and businesspeople in their regions, to ensure we highlight their initiatives.   Annabel Short, Resource Centre Programme Director and manager of this project, said: “There is growing awareness globally of companies’ human rights responsibilities. In that context, we are delighted to launch this special portal focused on the rights of children.   We hope it provides increased recognition and accountability for children who are affected by corporate activities, NGOs with greater exposure of their work in this field, and business with tools and examples to follow.” Visit the related web page
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