Mauritania to protect domestic servants

The Mauritanian government took fresh measures to better enforce its long-standing anti-exploitation law.

By Jemal Oumar for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 20/05/11

Mauritania's amended law securing the rights of housemaids and domestic workers will enter into force at the end of this month. Last week, the council of ministers held consultations on how to improve the current legislation, which, according to activists, lacked a number of important elements.

"The new decree, under satisfactory conditions, ensures all rights of housemaids and servants, as determined by the general conditions of household labor," noted Public Service Minister Maty Mint Hamadi.

The statement "issued by the Mauritanian government on this law provides information on the arrangements governing domestic work that date back to 1953, and the need to review those arrangements in order to improve and adapt them to the social and regulatory requirements in the field of employment," Mint Hamadi added.

The move came in response to the building criticism from international human rights organizations, who voiced concerns over the recent cases of exploitation of minors in Mauritania. The cases, according to these groups, amounted to undisguised slavery.

Mauritania suffers from ineffectiveness "in applying laws, not passing them," according to rights activist Biram Ould Dah.

"The enactment of laws does not mean anything," Ould Dah added. "As long as the Mauritanian government stops in the face of applying anti-slavery laws, plays tricks on victims, and helps offenders evade punishment, laws will continue to be futile."

In their turn, the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) expressed their "relief to see the masses that have long suffered under the yoke of exploitation, injustice and lack of pay, finally get a legal tool to ensure justice and respect for them, in a fragile environment characterized by the rule of law of the jungle".

"This decree, in spite of its importance, might not have seen the light of day, had it not been for our incessant struggle, mainly focused on combating slavery by descent, history of birth, privileges of race, exclusion and marginalization," the IRA added. "We commend the concerted efforts of all organizations and international agencies, as well as diplomatic missions of the free world."

While rights groups applauded the move, they said it was "not sufficient to establish values of justice, equality and equity that are necessary to lay down the foundations for the rule of law and civil peace".

"It is indeed an important step in terms of paying attention to the problems of a category of people that has suffered much injustice, especially girls below the age of 18," said Nebghouha Mint Abdellahi, co-ordinator of the Project for Protection of Minor Domestic Maids (PFMD). "They were always paid flimsy salaries allegedly for being young and unable to do much around the house. They were also often dispensed with unjustifiably."

She added that it was "necessary to engage civil society actors so as to contribute a more inclusive vision that truly serves the already fragile category of society".

The initiative received a warm welcome from those affected by the practices.

"This law is very important as it will allow me to work according to a written agreement that specifies the nature of my work," maid Aicha Mint Mbarek said. "Previously, the employer and me had to reach a mutual agreement, but numerous violations were committed against us."

"We often have to put up with much humiliation inside the houses where we work, because of the fear of dismissal at any time," another maid, Salka Mint Mahmoud, said. "Employers often fired us when they found others who are willing to accept lower wages, especially those who come from poor neighboring African countries, such as Senegal."

Source: Magharebia.
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2011/05/20/feature-02.