On 27-28 August 2011 the South African Domestic Services and Allied  Workers Union (SADSAWU), COSATU, NACTU, FEDUSA, International Labour Organization (ILO), Social Law Project, Labour Research Service, ANCWL, Progressive Women Movement of South Africa  have jointly come together to celebrate Women's Month to  highlight the call to the South African Government to start the processes of ratifying the  Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

Uruguay, August 19 -- In November 2006, the Uruguayan legislature passed Law 18.065, which regulated domestic work, thus constituting a breakthrough for more than 100,000 domestic workers in the country.

However, they were unable to achieve collective bargaining until they were summoned by the wage councils on 19 August 2008.  Ever since, the Day of the Domestic Workers is celebrated in Uruguay on that date. The celebration is accompanied by a paid holiday for the sector.

Trinidad and Tobago -- The Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (Trinidad and Tobago) congatulated the National Union of Domestic Workers on the historic achievement of a Domestic Worker Convention at the ILO Conference.  CAFRA praised the late Clotil Walcott of NUDE, as well as James Lynch, Salisha Ali and Ida Le Blanc, NUDE General Secretary. Read the congratulatory letter here.

Pennsylvania -- Domestic workers from the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) met with student guestworkers who led a factory sit-in because of broken promises and unfair conditions.  Read more about how workers from different sectors and unions are supporting each other.

Berlin - Diplomatic immunity was originally meant to protect embassy personnel from arbitrary harrassment. But a new case in Berlin, involving the alleged abuse of a Indonesian servant, makes it clear that human rights sometimes get lost in the shuffle. The case could go to Germany's highest court.  Read more in Der Spiegel here.

Jakarta -- The summary beheading of an Indonesian maid in Saudi Arabia has caused the Indonesian government to halt the migration of domestic workers to Saudi Arabia.  The maid, Ruyati binti Sapubi, was executed for allegedly murdering her Saudi employer.  The beheading, the latest in a long series of abuses suffered by Indonesian domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, finally convinced the Indonesian government to stop sending domestic workers to that country until its migrant workers can be better protected.

Indonesian domestic workers have been raped, imprisoned and even murdered by their Saudi employers. Complaints of mistreatment, overwork and failure to pay agreed-upon wages are common.  The Indonesian government has been engaged in talks with the Saudi government to secure better treatment for the thousands of Indonesians who migrate to Saudi Arabia for work.

Similar abuse of Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia caused the Indonesian government to ban maids from going to Malaysia in 2009.  That action inspired Malaysia to prosecute some offenders.  After two years of negotiation, Indonesia is once again prepared to allow its citizens to work in Malaysia.

Human rights organizations applauded the moratorium on the flow of workers into Saudi Arabia. Read reports from the Indonesian and international press here.