Not Housekeeper, but Domestic workers
- The press conference to request a change of title SBS drama [The Suspicious Housekeeper]

 

September 6, 12:00, middle-aged women flock has been gathered one after another in front of SBS, Mok-dong. They were house managers National House Managers Cooperative, experts in housework. They were gathered to request a change of title of drama [The Suspicious Housekeeper], began airing on September 23 at the SBS. As the word ‘housekeeper’ is perceived “a swamper for house-chores”, namely a “servant” rather than a term for professional occupation, ‘housekeeper’ signifies the lower class who are not respected as workers.

 

Prior to this press conference, Korean Women Workers Association and National House Managers Cooperative had passed a written opinion which requires not using the anachronistic words, housekeeper, on the SBS side over twice. However, for the first written opinion, SBS replied that it is a “value-neutral and upgraded term compared to kitchen-maid with negative image” and it change of title is not possible for the sake of "dramatic impact and the contractual terms of the original". They have been silent for the second written opinion. Therefore National House Managers Cooperative, Korea Women Workers Association and Korean Women's Associations United came to street in order to request a change of title of [The Suspicious Housekeeper].

 

At opening remarks, Yun-ok Im, Vice-President of the Korean Women Workers Association made a request to "not use the term housekeeper which tramples the professional self-esteem." She also raised her voice to put emphasis on that using the term of “housekeeper” is a retrogressive deal to go against the global trend to recognize domestic workers as professionals in the sense that ILO adopted the ‘Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers in 2011, recognizing domestic workers as workers and declared June 16th the “International Home Care Worker’s Day”.

 

Ok-kyung Park-Cha, Secretary General of the Korean Women's Associations Unite, said "SBS is also against the era like National Intelligence Service is against democracy." and “SBS has used the word ‘value neutral’ in the reply, but the value has changed in each era. To write a word to lead the trend of the times is the role of the broadcasting station.”

 

At a statement from field, Ok-sup Sim, the head of Incheon branch chief of the National House Managers Cooperative, was strongly demanded We, as a member of National House Managers Cooperative, we are trained as an expert and working in the pride. We are domestic workers that specializes in housework. Call us ‘house manager’."

 

At following performance, they demanded to use the term ‘house manager’ instead of the word 'Housekeeper', wiping written word ‘Housekeeper’ out with the water. At the moment when the paint used for the performance runs down to the floor, house manager in the press conference felt embarrassment. In the next breath, without exception, they took tissues and wet tissues out from their bags and started to polish the floor with them. They could not bear the fact that they stained the street as experts of domestic labor who could not stand even a small dust.

 

Domestic workers has not been recognized as workers legally yet, excluded from legal protection, and not received the four basic social security, also. In addition, the government has not yet ratified the "Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers' ILO was adopted in 2011.

 

[Press Conference Statements]

  Do not call House Keeper of the Domestic workers!

 

We heard the news that SBS will be airing a drama titled [The Suspicious Housekeeper] a while ago. As the word ‘housekeeper’ is perceived “a swamper for house-chores”, namely a “servant” rather than a term for professional occupation, ‘housekeeper’ signifies the lower class who are not respected as workers. As with many words as pointing to occupation, in accordance with the changing times, housekeeper also has changed in other words gradually. Household affair laborers belonging to National House Managers Cooperative have enhanced the expertise through continuing education, and it is an effort to undergo observed in the occupational cluster. They also have requested to call "Domestic workers" or "Home Care Worker" for themselves to respect as the workers. By changing the words referring to, they have enhanced the self-esteem and professional pride

 

Global trend also have asked the good quality of working environment and security rights as workers of household affair laborer. The ILO, that adopted the 'Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers' in2011, recognized home care workers as workers. In addition, ILO declared the day ‘International Domestic Workers Day’ in June 16, this year and proceeded the event.

 

At a time like this, to news that is using the word in the title of Housekeeper drama to be broadcast on public TV, we will not be able to hide the embarrassment. Media, public TV in particular is, has the influence and massive destruction in our society. So, the choice of word must be very careful. Language is a reflection of the society and continues to lead the times. SBS stuck on the use of old anachronistic language while ignoring the role and responsibility of media and language like this. This is a denial of the flow and changing times and an insult to ignore the household affair laborer of 300,000 people at the same time.

 

Korean Women Workers Association and National House Managers Cooperative sent a written opinion which requires to change their title in SBS drama station twice. However, in the written opinion of the first, SBS side notified it would not change the title, in the opinion of sending second, even though the deadline for response has passed, there is no answer followed. Household affair laborer is anger if SBS stuck on the use of the word housekeeper much. We request strongly that SBS changes the title of the drama that [The Suspicious Housekeeper] as soon as possible.

 

- Do not call House Keepers of domestic workers!

– SBS apologizes to domestic workers!!

 

September 6, 2013

National House Managers Cooperative, Korean Women Workers Association, Korean Women’s Associations Unite

 

Posted by KWWA
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