The Domestic Workers’ Union of Sri Lanka is a union led by women workers that was formally established as a trade union in March 2012. With around 3800 members, the union has been advocating for a range of legal and social protection measures, and has been mobilizing and supporting workers to defend and achieve their labour rights. We grew out of the Red Flag Women’s Movement – of and for tea plantation workers – given the mass movement of tea plantation workers to urban homes to provide domestic work.
We believe that workers, with all the experience they have about what it means to be a domestic worker in Sri Lanka, make the best leaders. Our trade union is one in which experienced organisers work with women workers, training them to take on leadership roles. Currently, all leadership positions are held by workers. Our organisational structure encourages horizontal leadership where key positions rotate. We are a union of women, for women and our structure and culture reflects our commitment to equitable professional relationships.
Sri Lanka relies on domestic work – we are here to ensure that those doing the work are legally and socially recognised and compensated so that they can live a life of dignity and pride.
Our Vision
We are working towards building a united society that is not separated by race, class or gender, but which is conscious of and sensitive to such identities and barriers erected because of them. We are committed to challenge the exploitation through women’s leadership, while giving voice to violations of fundamental human rights.
Our Mission
- To promote women to take over leadership positions at all levels of the Trade Union
- To take up women workers’ issues as Trade Union issues
- To build solidarity and networking with similar organisations locally, regionally and globally
- Develop a movement to bring dignity to domestic work and workers through social and legal reform
Domestic Workers' Union of Sri Lanka 