Regulating Decent Work for Domestic Workers: International and Comparative Dialogue

More than forty years after having recognized the urgency of a study on the working conditions of domestic workers, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is on track to adopt an international labour standard on decent work for domestic workers before the end of 2011.

Consult the ILO's 2009 report [.pdf], for an account of the situation and working conditions of domestic workers across the world.

This international seminar aims to bring together social partners, including domestic workers' associations, and international and interdisciplinary researchers specialized in the field in order to encourage an intensive consultation between the various participants concerned by the issue of decent work for domestic workers.

This meeting will also present an opportunity for exchange between researchers and social partners to identify the policy issues involved and to compare different regulatory approaches adopted in various countries. Furthermore, the seminar seeks to provide an opportunity for social partners to share their reflections on the presentations and their expertise in the area before the two upcoming sessions of the International Labour Conference in Geneva in June 2010 and 2011.

Finally, this activity offers a chance for Canada to celebrate the 90 years since the ILO was established in 1919.  To that end, a special exhibit commemorating the time during which Montreal was host to the ILO during the Second World War will be presented in the Atrium of McGill University's Faculty of Law.

Registration is mandatory, as space is limited. Contact martin.gallie [at] mcgill.ca (Martin Gallié) or annick.charest [at] umontreal.ca (Annick Charest) to register.