By Patricia Lewis
The Filipino Domestic Workers Association (FDWA), a grassroots organisation of Filipino domestic workers in the UK, recently launched a community hosting project to provide a temporary safe space for those who flee abusive employers.
FDWA receive calls for help on a weekly basis from Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, according to FDWA chairperson Cielo Tilan. Since 2004, the group has rescued a total of 96 migrant domestic workers. She said that the establishment of a wider hosting network would allow them to expand their rescue missions.
Every year, the UK issues around 11,500 overseas domestic worker visas to Filipinos who are brought to Britain mostly by Middle Eastern employers. Some of them experience physical and sexual abuse, work for excessively long hours and are deprived of food and days off. Often brought to Britain without their consent, some take the risk to run away from their employers.
Community hosting project
The FDWA community hosting is a volunteer-based service that looks to provide safe, temporary shelter and accommodation to rescued domestic migrant workers who escape their abusive work environments. Vetted hosts provide a bed and access to shared facilities in their own homes to those rescued, free of charge.
Hosts will receive a weekly stipend of £10 per person they accommodate to help with living costs. They will also go through an onboarding session with the hosting coordinator to discuss house rules and safeguarding procedures. The hosting coordinator is available to offer advice should there be any issues between the host and the rescued worker.
Whilst most of FDWA rescues so far have been in London, the organisation is open to volunteers from anywhere in England.
National Referral Mechanism
Whilst staying with a volunteer host, rescued workers will be referred to a first responder for proper case assessment through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a process for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support.
Modern slavery is a complex crime and may involve multiple forms of exploitation that encompasses human trafficking, slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour.
During this period, rescued survivors are normally allowed to work. The hosting ends when the survivor finds a job, and is able to afford rent. Through the FDWA community hosting alongside the NRM, the rescued domestic workers can stay in the UK and do what they intended to do in the first place – work to be able to provide for their families back home.
Empowered domestic workers
The community hosting project is part of the Empowered Domestic Workers Program jointly run by FDWA and Kanlungan Filipino Consortium and funded by Porticus, an international philantropic organisation.
The three-part programme includes the following: 1) advocacy training to help domestic workers confidently speak up to effect change under a hostile environment for migrant workers; 2) rights training, to educate migrant domestic workers about their rights as migrants in the UK, and; 3) community hosting, to provide a temporary safe space for those who flee abusive employers.
Still a lot of work to do
FDWA was founded in 2012 when the visa concession for migrant domestic workers was revoked. Prior to the change in visa, migrant domestic workers were allowed to change employers, apply for an extension of stay, and even have a possible pathway to settlement in the UK. The changes effected did not only tie them to a single employer, but also limited their stay in the UK to 6 months.
Despite all the excellent work that FDWA has done through the years, there is still a lot to do. There are still workers that need to be rescued. There are still workers who need to be informed and taught about their rights. There are still workers longing to be heard, to be seen and to be part of a community. The work is never done.
Ms Tilan says that it will take some time before domestic workers can overcome their fear of authorities and feel empowered to speak up. “Malaking tulong ang Porticus project sa empowerment ng mga overseas domestic workers dito sa UK at sana maipagpatuloy pa ito hanggang mayroon ng sapat na kakayahan ang FDWA, dahil hindi ito titigil hangga’t mayroong mga biktima ng modern slavery na dinala dito sa UK.” (The Porticus project is a huge help in empowering overseas domestic workers in the UK. We hope it continues until FDWA is in a better position because it will not stop while there are victims of modern slavery who are being brought to the UK).
If you are interested to volunteer and are able to offer a safe space in your home, you can register here.
If you are a domestic worker in need of help, please contact FDWA here.
Kung ikaw ay isang domestic worker na nangangailangan ng tulong, makipag-ugnayan sa FDWA dito
About the author
Patricia is a project coordinator for Kanlungan Filipino Consortium. A banker by profession, this mother of 3 is currently on break to focus on her family.
