Second Asian Domestic Workers Assembly (ADWA) in Jakarta

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Migrant Forum in Asia! I hope all is well with you.

We are pleased to inform you that MFA together with the Asian Migrant Centre (AMC), Coalition for Migrants Rights (CMR) and the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) in cooperation with the Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI) will be organizing the Second Asian Domestic Workers Assembly (ADWA) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 2nd ADWA is a follow-up of the first Asian Migrant Domestic Workers Assembly held in Manila Philippines, on 16-17 June 2007 (for more information on the first ADWA please see:
http://www.mfasia.org/mfaResources/ADWA2007.html ). The 2007 assembly in Manila paved the way for the creation of the Asian Domestic Workers Alliance (ADWA), a joint Asian regional platform to promote the rights, welfare and empowerment of migrant domestic workers (MDWs). This 2nd Assembly aims to collectively discuss and finalize the formation of the ADWA Steering Committee; to finalize and adopt a Strategic Action Plan of ADWA; also to analyze gains/successes, gaps/needs, challenges, opportunities and difficulties/obstacles to organizing work, advocacy and empowerment of MDWs.

The following are the activities lined up in connection with this 2nd ADWA:


30 April 2008 Arrival of Participants
1 May 2008 Launching of regional campaign: "recognition of domestic work as work"
2-3 May 2008 2nd Asian Domestic Workers Assembly
4 May 2008 Workshop on crisis center/shelter


MFA recognizes the important role of women and their work within the larger framework of migration and development. We will be bringing together key domestic workers and migrants group across Asia to discuss and strategize on advocacy priorities. This process is particularly important, as domestic work is currently not recognized as real work in many countries around the world. This coordinated effort on self-representation will join up to a larger process during the GFMD in Manila Philippines in October 2008.

Please inform the MFA Secretariat if you interested in participating in the program.

Courage, Peace, Power in a Life Full of Meaning.


William Gois
Regional Coordinator