Reid, Jane --- "ILO Convention on Outworkers" [1996] HRightsDef 23; (1996) Human Rights Defender

ILO Convention on Outworkers

By Jane Reid

Recent media reports have focused attention on the working conditions of outworkers (homeworkers). In Australia, the large majority of outworkers are migrant women who, for a variety of reasons - lack of alternative work, poor English language skills, qualifications that do not comply with Australian standards, lack of suitable childcare and other familial and cultural pressures - have little choice but to work for employers who ride roughshod over their rights. Studies have shown that outworkers are frequently paid below award level, work in unsafe and unhealthy environments, are sometimes obliged to use child labour to finish rush jobs and are denied job security and social security benefits.

On 2 June 1996, State Members of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) will vote on the proposed Convention and Recommendation on Homework. The Convention will provide minimum standards of protection and give signatory States the backing of those standards as they implement national policies. Support for the Convention would send a powerful message to Australian employers, employees and to the international commun-ity that the rights of all employees, regardless of their place of work, should have the protection of labour legislation backed up by international standards. There is at present some doubt as to whether the Australian Government will give its support.

Please write to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for Industrial Relations urging the Governments support for the Convention on Homework.

Jane Reid is Coordinator of the Australian Human Rights Information Centre