Charity Awards 2010: Winner: Kalayaan
Kalayaan was founded in 1987 and it is the only organisation in the UK that works specifically to improve the quality of life and social inclusion of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs). MDWs enter the UK legally with a specific visa which allows them to work in private households.
The isolated, dependant and unregulated nature of their work means that domestic workers are vulnerable to exploitative practices. MDWs frequently suffer from physical, psychological and sexual abuse, discrimination, low pay and long hours. Employers often use passport retention as a means of control. Many MDWs have limited or no knowledge of the English language and are not aware of their rights in the UK or how to access them.
Kalayaan challenges the general perception that domestic work is not real work and is committed to advocate for the right to the national minimum wages, a contract, set working hours and decent working conditions.
Kalayaan aims to relieve MDWs from poverty and exploitation and improve their quality of life by meeting both their emergency and long-term needs. It provides the following services:
advice on immigration and employment rights and support accessing free legal representation
ESOL classes and further training
emergency accommodation and support for MDWs who have escaped an abusive employer
monthly health clinics
referrals to the UK Human Trafficking Centre for victims of trafficking for domestic servitude
support finding new employment
lobbying and campaigning to ensure that key government agencies including the police, health services and the Home Office are aware of the problems faced by MDWs
multicultural social activities to promote community building
kalayaan.org.uk