About Us / International Federation
On May 1st, 2006, organisations of homeworkers in three continents held meetings and marched to demand recognition and rights as workers. They launched the international federation to demonstrate solidarity together and to demand equal treatment with other workers everywhere.
In Europe, the National Group on Homeworking (NGH) and the Federation of Homeworkers Worldwide (FHWW) joined the Trades Council march in Leeds. In other parts of Europe, homeworkers demonstrated in Madeira, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria. In Madeira, the Union of Embroidery Workers is continuing the long struggle fought over the last thirty years for rights for homeworkers.
In Latin America, homeworkers organisations marched in Santiago, Chile and in Le Paz, Bolivia. In India, rural women homeworkers held meetings in Bihar and Tamilnadu, and in Nepal they took part in marches.
How the federation was formed
The FHWW was formed by organisations who have been working together for a number of years. At the end of the mapping programme, in 2004, participants in an international workshop expressed their desire to maintain links and build an active federation. The FHWW is part of the international movement of homebased workers and other informal workers, particularly women.