EU report on fundamental rights of ‘irregular migrants’

Published: Monday, July 04, 2011

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has today published a report on the fundamental rights of irregular migrants who are employed as domestic workers in the European Union (EU).

Most irregular migrants in domestic work are women.

The report shows that their irregular immigration status, coupled with challenges in regulating domestic work more generally, makes this group very vulnerable to exploitation, including cases of physical abuse.

Typical forms of exploitation include low pay, often having to work excessive working hours, and usually not being able to obtain compensation for work-related accidents.

FRA director Morten Kjaerum said: "From a fundamental rights perspective, it is key to improve the situation of all domestic workers in the EU - whether they reside regularly or irregularly in an EU Member State.

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