The Domestic Workers Action Group's fight against diplomatic immunity continues: On Sunday 28 November, members of DWAG gathered in front of the Philippines Embassy to protest against the embassy’s decision not to attend an employment complaint hearing brought by a former employee at the Labour Relations Commission.

The employment complaints were brought to the LRC by a Filipina, who was employed by the embassy as a domestic worker between July and December 2009. The woman claims that her employment rights were violated and, assisted by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, lodged formal complaints against the embassy under four different acts: Terms of Employment (Information) Act, 1994; Payment of Wages Act, 1991; Organisation of Working Time, 1997; and National Minimum Wage Act, 2000.

According to Hilda Regaspi of the Domestic Workers Action Group, ‘It takes a lot of courage for a domestic worker to stand up for their rights when they have been violated, especially by diplomats who have more power.  Domestic workers, like all other workers, deserve the right to a fair hearing and due process regarding grievances, including those employed by foreign diplomats. By not showing up at this hearing and ignoring the jurisdiction of the Labour Relations Commission, the Philippines Embassy has shown absolute disregard for the rights of one of their own nationals. Foreign diplomats are supposed to be representing their country in the highest regard, and we would expect that they respect Irish laws and afford their employees due process.” 

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland’s Director, Siobhán O’Donoghue, said, “This serious problem was highlighted last year when the South African Embassy invoked diplomatic immunity and prevented a domestic worker from having her case heard. Now the Philippines embassy is showing the same disregard for the law by not attending a complaints hearing. MRCI is aware of several other cases involving allegations of abuse of domestic workers by foreign diplomats.  It is shameful and unfair that domestic workers employed by diplomats are being denied access to their basic rights.  We are calling on Minister Martin to establish a clear, transparent visa regime for domestic employees of diplomats. This must include employment contracts that comply with Irish labour laws.”

For more go to Domestic Workers Action Group