Domestic workers' rights and slavery

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/09/domestic-workers-rights-and-slavery

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Two hundred years ago slavery was socially acceptable – it was part of life. It was only when it became part of a political agenda that this changed. As you report (8 April) that film director Steve McQueen and others throw their support behind demands for planned anti-slavery laws to be toughened up, Care also demands that the focus goes beyond that of organised criminals and "victims" to the estimated 68 million domestic workers who dwell behind the closed doors of people's homes.

Globally, one in 13 female wage workers is a domestic worker. More than half have no established working hours or the legal right to a minimum salary and more than a third have no right to maternity leave. All people should be entitled to decent working conditions, and yet paid domestic workers around the world have been historically excluded from these provisions. This exclusion is a breach of their human rights and has left millions working in exploitative conditions, hidden from view and unregulated.

No one is saying we should put an end to this work. Our new report on decent work for domestic workers highlights just how vitally important it is to the economy. States need to enforce the rights of domestic workers and recognise the key role they play in the wider global economy.John PlastowChief executive, Care International UK

• Maybe the reason why the UK's growth will exceed the rest of Europe (Britain will lead world's growth, says IMF, 9 April) is that we have a workforce that is very poorly paid – more or less slave labour. Was that in Cameron's mind when he strenuously bargained away the European social contract some years ago, and is that the reason overseas companies set up operations here?D WhartonWest Kirby, Wirral