Knowledge Sharing Forums

Knowledge sharing forums (KSF) on domestic work are taking place in 2012 and 2013 and aim facilitating the development and exchange of knowledge and experience between countries as regards the promotion of decent work for domestic workers. KSFs take place at the regional or sub-regional level, bringing together governments, workers’ and employers’ representatives to discuss selected policy areas relevant to the region. Knowledge developed and shared at each forum feeds into the development of policy and information tools on domestic workers. The forums raise awareness of the Domestic Workers Convention (No. 189) and Recommendation (No. 201), 2011, and support efforts towards implementation, as well as ratification of the Convention.

A first KSF on organizing domestic workers took place in Mexico City, with participants from Central America and the Caribbean. Three forums are scheduled to take place in Asia, Europe and the Arab region in October 2012.

Regional knowledge-sharing forum on labour inspection in the domestic work sector
Lisbon, Portugal, 11-12 October 2012
The forum is designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences on compliance and enforcement in the domestic work sector among labour inspectors, representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations from eight European Union countries.

Regional knowledge sharing forum on organizing domestic workers
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16-19 October 2012
The forum brings together representatives of domestic workers’ organizations and national unions from a number of Asian countries to share experiences in organizing domestic workers. Participants will discuss challenges in achieving decent work in the domestic work sector, barriers to freedom of association, reaching out to domestic workers, and the particular situation of migrant domestic workers.

Regional knowledge sharing conference to promote Convention No. 189 in Arab States
Cairo, Egypt, 22-24 October 2012
Two objectives will be pursued through the forum: (1) raising awareness of Convention No. 189 and Recommendation No. 201 among ILO constituents in the region; (2) facilitating the sharing of knowledge and experiences regarding the extension of labour law to domestic workers and its enforcement, as well as regulation of the activities of recruitment agencies. Participants from 10 countries in the Arab regions have been invited.