BLESSINGS on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world
n William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)
They
are called yayas, maids or nannies.
They are the women whose hands rock the cradle, but are oftentimes not valued
for the “unskilled” work that they perform in the homes. By taking on
caregiving and domestic tasks that are traditionally assigned to women and
girls in families, domestic workers enable their women employers to work in the
paid labor market. Moreover, by assuming domestic chores, domestic workers
allow families that employ them to enjoy family life unencumbered by mundane
tasks.
In
the multi-awarded film IloIlo ,
Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen captures the contributions of domestic
workers to the families that employ them, especially the care work that is
involved in raising and nurturing children. The film was inspired by Mr. Chen’s memories
of his nanny, Auntie Terry, who worked for his family when he was a child. One of the things that he recalled about
Auntie Terry when memories would flash in his mind is IloIlo , where Auntie Terry hailed from. The film has received numerous accolades,
including the prestigious Camera d’Or in the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, for its
honest and poignant portrayal of the interconnected fates of the film's
characters.
The Philippine
Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) is pleased to endorse IloIlo to the Filipino public. Through the
lives of Auntie Terry and her Singaporean employers, the film presents the
aspirations, struggles and humanity of the characters as they negotiate their
encounters initially as strangers, later as worker-employer, and as family
members.
Although
the PMRW does not encourage overseas employment as a development strategy
because of its social costs, the film would be instructive for OFWs, their
families, advocates and other stakeholders who work for the promotion and
protection of the rights of OFWs, particularly domestic workers.
As a
network of migrant advocates, the PMRW was at the forefront in the lobby and
campaign for the Philippines
to ratify the International Labor Organization Convention 189 (Decent Work for
Domestic Workers) and the passage into law of Batas Kasambahay (Domestic Workers Act) or RA 10361.
PMRW
will continue to promote and raise awareness about Convention 189 and RA 10361,
especially among domestic workers so that they will know and claim their
rights. The film, IloIlo , will contribute to PMRW’s mission to
inform and to educate migrant workers, stakeholders and the general public
about domestic work and why it is important to provide protection to domestic
workers at home and abroad.
It
is our hope that the film and others like it will contribute to the
appreciation that the nurturing hands that rock the cradle are accorded the
respect and dignity that is long overdue.
Let us all watch, learn from and enjoy IloIlo !
CARMELITA G. NUQUI
President
