ROUND-TABLE

on the International Labour Organizations Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers Friday, March 9, 2012, 9:00am 4:30pm, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve West, 4th floor, Montreal

ILO CONVENTION CONCERNING DECENT WORK FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS

In June 2011, the International Labour Organization adopted the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers, which represents an important step forward in the area of rights for domestic workers.

ROUND-TABLE: HOW IT CAN BENEFIT YOU

This Round-Table has three objectives: To examine the content of the Convention, To examine its implications for Canada, and To evaluate how Quebec can assume a leadership role in addressing the principles and measures set out in the Convention. The event will lead to the formulation of recommendations for specific domestic policies and programs that meet the objectives and principles of the Convention. The Conference will feature the knowledge and experience of a wide-range of academics, researchers, lawyers, community workers, unions and government officials regarding issues raised in the Convention.

The Convention sets forth minimum standards for domestic workers globally and highlights issues related to workplace safety, labour rights protections, unionization, civil rights protections and housing rights. The Convention promotes optimal integration of domestic workers within workplaces and seeks to address the systemic injustices and inequalities faced by domestic workers worldwide. Domestic work intersects with issues of gender equality, immigration standards and civil rights issues. It is recognized that the rights of domestic workers have not been fairly or equitably upheld globally, or within Canada. Many domestic workers face systemic discrimination, harassment and exploitation because of their race, gender, citizenship status and social condition. Very few effective avenues of recourses are available to domestic workers who wish to protect their civil rights, such as the right to equality and the right to access certain social benefits. We hope that discussion at the Round-Table will enable participants to identify current issues and develop specific recommendations for future action on improving the living and working conditions for domestic workers in Quebec and in Canada.

ROUND-TABLE: WHO IS IT FOR?

This unique event is for representatives of: Government agencies in charge of labour standards, workplace safety, immigration, health and social services, housing, gender equality and human rights Human rights commissions and other statutory agencies responsible for women, workers, immigrants and migrants Non-profit organizations serving women, workers, immigrants and migrants Domestic Workers/Live-in Caregivers Lawyers and legal organizations Employers of domestic workers Academics and researchers Students Other interested individuals
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ROUND-TABLE on the International Labour Organizations Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers Friday, March 9, 2012, 9:00am 4:30pm, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve West, 4th floor, Montreal

AGENDA

9:00 10:00

OPENING PLENARY Review of Round-Table Objectives, Process and Expected Outcomes Personal Account Presentation of the ILO Convention: Issues and Process THEMATIC WORKSHOPS: ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS 1. Labour Standards and Workplace Safety 2. Civil Rights (protection from discrimination, harassment, exploitation and human trafficking) 3. Housing 4. Union Rights 5. Immigration and Integration: Legal & Regulatory Issues 6. Immigration and Integration: Socio-Economic Issues LUNCH THEMATIC WORKSHOPS (continued) CLOSING PLENARY Workshop Report & Recommendations Reactions and Feedback Future Actions

10:00 12:00

12:00 1:00 1:00 3:00 3:00 4:30

PLEASE NOTE: This event will be facilitated primarily in French; no translation services will be available.

ROUND-TABLE on the International Labour Organizations Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers Friday, March 9, 2012, 9:00am 4:30pm, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve West, 4th floor, Montreal

PERSONNES RESSOURCES / RESOURCE PERSONS

Stephanie Bernstein, Professeure et chercheuse, Dpartement des sciences juridiques de la Facult de science politique et de droit, Universit du Qubec Montral (UQAM) Adelle Blackett, Professeure agrge titulaire de la Chaire William Dawson/Associate Professor & William Dawson Scholar, Directrice du Laboratoire de recherche sur le droit du travail et le dveloppement/Director, Labour Law and Development Research Laboratory, Facult de droit/Faculty of Law, Universit McGill University Evelyn Calugay, Prsidente, PINAY: Filipino Women's Organization in Quebec/Organisation des femmes Philippines du Qubec Isabelle Duplessis, Professeure agrge, Facult de droit, Universit de Montral Pearl Eliadis, Avocate/Lawyer Martin Galli, Professeur et chercheur, Dpartement des sciences juridiques de la Facult de science politique et de droit, Universit du Qubec Montral (UQAM) Dalia Gesualdi-Facteau, Avocate, Commission des normes du travail Tatiana Gomez, Avocate/Lawyer Jill Hanley, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University Joyne Lavides, Representative, Human Rights Equity & Diversity Department, Travailleurs et travailleuses unis de lalimentation et du commerce Canada/United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Margo Legault, Prsidente, Association des aides familiales du QC Maru Maesa, Chairperson, Migrante Canada Geeta Narang, President, Mile End Legal Clinic Angely Pacis, Avocate/Lawyer Eugnie Pelletier, Coordonnatrice du sous-axe TRAVAILLEURS TRANGERS TEMPORAIRES du REDTAC- (IM)MIGRATION/CRIUM, Candidate au doctorat en droit lUniversit de Montral Anne Pineau, Adjointe au acomit excutif, Confdration des syndicats nationaux Tess Tesalona, Prsidente, Centre des travailleurs et travailleuses immigrants/Immigrant Workers Centre Walter Chi Yan Tom, Avocat/Lawyer Salimah Valiani, Policy Analyst and Economist, Ontario Nurses Association Dautres confirmer/Others to be confirmed