Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

At the forthcoming International Labour Conference to be held in Geneva in June 2011, the proposal for a draft convention on decent work for domestic workers is a significant and important agenda item. In accordance with standard procedure in respect of the negotiation of any international labour instrument at the International Labour Organisation, it will be the subject of discussion on a tripartite basis involving Governments, employer representative bodies and worker representative bodies over a three-week period. The possible adoption of any such international labour instrument will be subject to the outcome of these discussions at the conference in June.

The Deputy will appreciate that in advance of the detailed discussion and negotiation on the text of any such international instrument, it would be inappropriate to anticipate our position on a draft convention, the final text of which is not yet settled. However, it is worth pointing out that the full suite of employment rights that applies to workers in Ireland is equally applicable to domestic workers. Ireland has been cited internationally as an example of good practice in this area, not least through the introduction of a voluntary code of practice entitled Code of Practice for Persons Employed in Other People's Homesin 2007. During Ireland's tenure on the governing body of the International Labour Organisation, the Irish Government representative supported the inclusion of an ILO standard-setting instrument in this area on the agenda for consideration by the International Labour Conference.

In the context of the forthcoming International Labour Conference in June, Ireland will continue to play a constructive and positive role in which it is hoped the ILO will be in a position to adopt a convention on decent work for domestic workers.

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